THEME OF BUDDHISM THAI MOVIES
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Theme of Buddhism is present in Thai movies. It is also called "monk genre". Some movies deal about Buddhist monks as main character. Buddhist monks are often a main character in Thai horror movies. They often help in order to get rid of powerful ghosts and villagers seek them for help and guidance. Despite Thai Buddhism has experienced chaos and crisis since the 1980s, Thai Censorship Board still strictly applies the Buddhist precepts and, in year 2006, objected to depictions of a Buddhist monk playing guitar in movie "Syndromes and a Century" from Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
Year: 1979
Thai title: แม่สะเรียงที่รัก
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director:
Main actor: Sor Asanajinda
Main actress:
Thai movie แม่สะเรียงที่รัก was released in year 1979 and lasts 1h14mn. This movie had a limited diffusion as it was a movie to promote Christianity in Thailand. Ruffians block the road in the mountains of Northern Thailand. A man called Thep is driving around. They rob Thep, steal his car and shoots him twice. A bus of tourists stops but finally nobody helps. Father Tao (Sor Asanajinda) and his son Suey carry the injured driver, named Thep, a Bangkokian man. Another car stops and doesn't help either. The Karen village has no car. The closest doctor is 50 kilometers away. Other villagers don't want to help. So Suey is going. Thep is upset as it will take long time to get a doctor. Other refuse to help as Thep is a stranger. Kila, Tao’s daughter, also a Christian, helps. Hard journey for Suey, who is running barefoot through the mountains to get doctor's help. Poor villagers help but rich people don't help. Thep becomes nasty with Kila due to suffering. Thanks to Suey, a doctor arrives on time. Suey gives his blood also. There is no recognition from Thep (ใจดำ). One of the villagers, Bookay, bring jealousy in Suey’s heart as the daughter Kila needs to act as a nurse close to Thep. The injured man Thep wishes to stay in the village as people have good heart (นัำใจดี). The doctor gives him a bible. Party is organised. Songs are performed. Romance starts between Thep and Kila. Suey is heart broken. Somebody releases an elephant in order to injure them. Hopefully Tao can help on time thanks to Suey warning him. Suey blames Bookay (โฉมฉาย ฉัตรวิไล) to have released the elephant. Suey helps a third time. Bookay blames him for keeping helping despite he is losing Kila (เสียคนรัก). Suey helps without hoping to get anything in return as it is part of his religion fundamentals (เมตตา) and faith in god (พระองค์). Bookay recognises her mistake (ความอิจฉา). Thep decides to stay in the village and changes his religion (ชีวิตใหม่). Thep steps back to let Suey and Kila love blossom. He finally goes back to Bangkok.
Year: 1980
Thai title: หลวงตา ภาค 1
English title: The old monk
Rating: 4/5
Director: Permpol Choei-arun
Main actor: Jatuphol Poopirom,Lor Tok,Rong Kaomulkadee,Krailat Kriengkrai,Thuam Thoranong
Main actress: Supansa Nuengpirom,Mayurachath Muarnprasitivej,Tharika Thidathip,Juree Osiri
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Thai movie หลวงตา ภาค 1 / The old monk was released in year 1980 and lasts 2h13mn (according to Five Star Production website). It was released under multiple formats, a beta-max version (2h01mn), VCD version by Solar (2h02mn), VCD version by BKP (2h05mn), DVD version by BKP (2h05mn), a True Thai Film cable TV version (1h48mn). A remastered version was released during decade 2010s by Five Star Production. Movie director is Permpol Choei-arun. This movie shows the importance of Buddhist abbots in Thai society. Luang Ta (Lor Tok) is an abbot in a Thai Buddhist temple. He is taking care of children (เด็กวัด) given to the temple as the parents are too poor to take care of them. During childhood, young boy Long often deal with stubborn Chuk and Ek. Long (Jatuphol Poopirom) and Ek (Rong Kaomulkadee) are now grown up. Mae Choi (Mayurachath Muarnprasitivej) is Long's mother but she is ashamed (ผู้หญิงขายคัว) so she doesn't disclose who she is. Long is like orphan (ลูกกำพร้า) under the responsibility to Luang Ta. Fighting between Long and Ek occur as Ek always tease others but they remain friends. Luang Ta teaches (สั่งสอน) them continuously. Long is accepted in school army and Ek is accepted in police school. Mae Choi dies. Luang Ta organises a funeral being the main sponsor (เจ้าภาพ). The undertaker (สัปเหร่อ) discloses she worked in a brothel (ซ่อง) before. Young lady Duangjai (Tharika Thidathip) stays in temple as she has nowhere to go. She has little education as her parents thought primary studies were enough. Luang Ta complains that girls should study also and not only do home chores. She regains trust in herself and learns new skills but after a while Luang Ta tells her it is time to leave as it is not correct for a lady to stay in a temple where only men are present. Lom, without parents and who has always lived in Buddhist temple, is in love with a young woman called Wan (Supansa Nuengpirom). Her high society parents (Thuam Thoranong and Juree Osiri) don't want a poor groom. On top of this, they are worried about impacts on their lineage. Lom decides to go at the Thai border as he knows this love is impossible. Wan clashes with her parents, who are more worried about old symbols such as status, fame, lineage instead of their daughter happiness. By reading newspapers, Luang Ta learns that Duangjai made a successful wedding. Pushed by Wan, her parents visit Luang Ta to learn more about Lom. The abbot gives them the whole story. The parents are concerned about gossip as Lom is prostitute's son but Luang Ta reminds them that skills and good personality are not linked to lineage but to own ability. Ek is proud to announce to Luang Ta that he is now police captain with 3 stars. Luang Ta complains that multiple stars don’t make people more intelligent. Lom is injured at the border and is sent to hospital. Luang Ta decides to visit him but two robbers (including Krailat Kriengkrai) enter in the Buddhist temple. They kidnap Luang Ta. Surrounded by police led by Ek, they have to endure Luang Ta's sermons (โดนเทศน์ไม่ไหว) so they finally give up and surrender. Long is back to the temple to visit Luang Ta with his wife Wan as her parents have agreed to the wedding.
Year: 1980
Thai title: ขุนเดช
English title:
Rating: 4/5
Director:
Main actor: Sombat Methanee,Manop Aussawathep,Sompong Phonmitr,Pumi Patanayut,Somjin Thammatat
Main actress: Pornpan Ketmamatsu
Thai movie ขุนเดช was released in year 1980. It takes place in Sukhothai historical park area before it became an official park (1988) as there was still heavy vegetation around the Buddha statues. The movie lasts 1h46mn. This movie was only released under VHS in Thailand and Sweden. Two men are killed by Khun Det (Sombat Methanee) as they are digging in order to steal Buddhist artifacts. Ruffians arrive in the village and hire farmers to dig around in order to find relics. Village leader (ผู้ใหญ่) Sompong (Sompong Phonmitr) refuses to help as it is ancestor's' heritage so it shall not be sold to strangers. Sompong has a mute daughter (Pornpan Ketmamatsu). The leader (เจ้านาย)(ภูมิ พัฒนายุทธ) is looking for Buddha statues (พระสักองค์). Sompong informs the temple abbot that the ruffians even dig near old sacred pagodas but nothing the abbot can do (สัตว์นรก). Khun Det, aware, chases away the workers. Khun Det is then captured, crucified and suspended to a headless Buddha giant statue. Khun Det is rescued by Sompong and his daughter. Khun Det repairs an old gun (ปืนเก่า). As the ruffians are evacuating Buddha statues by boat, Khun Det sinks the boat thanks to his gun. It reminds the scene of Naresuan 2 with the King shooting very far away with a gun to defeat the Burmese king. The leader, seeing that Khun Det is bringing them serious troubles again decide to flee by car with some Buddha statues. Khun Det prevents him to flee by destroying his car and killing him. The father (Somjin Thammatat), in ire as his son is dead, storms the village with ruffians but is unable to find Khun Det. They burn belongings of villagers and threaten the abbot. The father destroys pagodas and tries to bury a big Buddha statue. Khun Det prevents them so the father finally calls Manop Aussawathep, a professional killer. He shots Sompong. This movie also reminds of western such as “The Magnificent Seven” with people protect villagers against ruffians as there is no police. Manop then buries men alive to force Khun Det to show himself. The villagers fight back. The father and his ruffians are killed. Khun Det defeats Manop through an epic final fight. It is a strong movie with violent deaths (heads cut as ruffians cut Buddha statues’ heads). Khun Det finally leaves. A Thai serie ขุนเดช was released in year 1999 with Phongphat Wachirabanjong. Another version was released in year 2012.
Year: 1982
Thai title: หลวงตา 2
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director: Permpol Choei-arun
Main actor: Lor Tok,Sorapong Chatree,Der Doksadao
Main actress:
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This second opus shows the importance of Buddhist abbots and village headmen ("KAMNAN" - กำนัน) in Thai society. A turbulent young man has been sent by his father in a temple to receive a good education. He still misbehaves and flees with a young lady. Hopefully the village headman and the abbot are here to ease tension and solve issues. It emphasizes the cooperation of all generations to solve village problems.
Year: 1985
Thai title: สามเณรใจสิงห์
English title:
Rating: 5/5
Director:
Main actor: Sor Asanajinda,Pao Porapak
Main actress: Tasawan Saneewong,Piathip Kumwong
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Thai movie สามเณรใจสิงห์ was released in year 1985 and lasts 1h38mn. It is available under VCD format. Some of the actresses and actors are ด.ช.ขุนพล ฉ่ำเย็นอุรา, สุประวัติ ปัทมสูตร, วรนุช ลุนเผ่, โชติช่วง พุทธสิน. Thai movie สามเณรใจสิงห์ is a powerful movie about Thai Buddhism and people greediness. The story was written by a Thai monk. A family has four kids. The wife Sae (Tasawan Saneewong) is managing a small restaurant selling food and drinks. The husband is a drunkard. He has a group of 4 friends (including Pao Porapak) always drinking together. He keeps asking money to his wife to buy alcohol. The grandmother is rich and keeps supporting her daughter. One son called Sing Chai is still going to school. Two other daughters and another son are not doing much except asking for money, partying, taking drugs. One day, one of the son's friend tries to steal money from the grandma by threatening her with an artisanal bomb. It ends badly as the grandma dies and the son loses his leg in the explosion. Sing Chai believes there is a waste of money and injuries as a huge and expensive funeral is organised with outdoor movies, firecrackers... Luang Ta (Sor Asanajinda) is always around. It is Buddhist lent (เข้าพรรษา) coming and Sing Chai is sad to see his family going towards this wrong path. Sae and her husband argue on money, so she gets beaten and then asks for divorce. Sae then keeps playing cards. One day one of the daughter Usa is found dead having been raped by thugs but her parents don't care. Unable to support this anymore, Sing Chai enters monkhood as novice. Sae has a new lover, i.e. the village leader, who keeps borrowing money from her. Sai, one of Sae's daughter, is also his mistress. Luang Ta keeps smoking and delivers sermons in old fashioned way. Novice Sing Chai delivers sermon in a modern way. It makes Luang Ta upset as a novice becomes more popular than him. Even Piathip Kumwong is not visiting Luang Ta anymore but novice Sing Chai to get advice. Sae, knowing that the villager leader and her daughter Sai betrayed her (คนทรยศ), wishes to get suicide. Novice Sing Chai helps her on time and the mother becomes a nun. Young teen girl Chantana is back to the village and invites novice Sing Chai to get alms everyday (รับบาตร). Sing Chai is feeling awkward caught by human feelings toward Chantana. Luang Ta tries to catch him doing improper things (ศึกแน่ๆ). Sing Chai is even accused of committing a murder. Village leader Gneun, father of Chantana, is causing troubles. Luang Ta recognizes he was wrong to try to accuse Sing Chai. Gneun is finally shot by Sai as he was refusing to recognize his paternity. Sing Chai rejects his mother due to bad feeling but recognizes his mistake. He still hopes to convince his father to stop drinking alcohol. On the way to his father's home, a fire occurs. Sing Chai saves his father but the handicapped son is unable to flee. Mother Sae (ยอมแม่) is sick and dies while listening sermon. The father (ยอมพ่อ) becomes a monk also. The movie ends up on Sae's funeral where Sae’s voice in background regrets to have led such a bad life.
Year: 1989
Thai title: คนทรงเจ้า
English title: Silhouette of god
Rating: 5/5
Director: แจ๊สสยาม
Main actor: Santisuk Promsiri,Somjin Thammatat
Main actress: Jintara Sookkapat,Paweena Chareefsakul
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Thai movie คนทรงเจ้า / Silhouette of god was released in year 1989 and lasts 1h58mn. It was released under VHS, VCD and DVD format by BKP company and VCD format by Solar company. A remastered version was released by Five Star Production in the decade 2010s and shown on Thai TV cable. Movie director is แจ๊สสยาม. The movie received four Thai cinema awards. The Culture Ministry registers 25 Thai classic films each year at the National Film Heritage Registry. This movie is part of the 25 films heritage list announced on 04 October 2014, which is Thai Movies Conservation Day. Kam (Santisuk Promsiri) is married with one kid. As the river near their house starts to flood, he must put his livestock in a safer place. He puts them near a shrine (เจ้าพ่อ) on a land which belongs to him as he rents it. Villager Mek is upset as it is near a sacred shrine (ที่ศักดิ์สิทธิ์). Mek asks the spirit to help him to seduce Pagna (น้องพงา) (Jintara Sookkapat), daughter of Phujai. Phujai (Somjin Thammatat) asks Kam to remove his animals but Kam refuses as he does not believe in spirits (ไม่นับถือ). His son falls in the water and dies. Villagers say it is the spirit's revenge. Kam refuses to believe and decides to cut the tree. Maybe due to insolation or spirit's action, he loses conscience on the first attempt to cut the tree. Still stubborn (ไม่ยอม), he finally attaches his buffaloes near the tree. One evening as a storm is happening, his wife starts to give birth, but it does not happen well despite the local midwife's help. Unable to help, she asks him to pay allegiance to the spirit (แก้บน) to save his wife (ปวีณา ชารีฟสกุล). Kam promises to be a medium (คนทรอง) for the tree spirit. It looks like Kam still wishes the tree spirit and the villagers to pay for the bad sins they caused to him. Mek's wife, Phayia (จริยา สรณคมน์), wishes to find a way to get her husband back as he is now fond of Pagna. The spirit tells that her real-life love (คู่ชีวิต) is Kam and makes some filter for her to get back her husband. Finally, Kam and Phayia become lovers. Mek, upset that his wife Phayia (พเยีย) often visits the spirit medium, suspects a relationship between them (ชู้กับเมียเขา) but is unable to catch them. He believes Kam is lying (หลอกลวง) to villagers, indulges in alcohol and wishes to kill Kam. Meanwhile Phujai benefits from the money given as donations to the spirit medium. The spirit performs ceremony to change people’s bad luck (สะเดาะเคราะห์). Phujai wishes his daughter to win Songkran beauty contest to be an "angel" (เทพิ) and to find a rich husband for her. Phujai uses a weak-minded man to get rid of Mek. Kam's wife is happy being rich and does not care about the relationship of Kam with other women. Phujai is worried being accused that he masterminded Mek's death. Kam convinces him to hide deeply in the jungle. Then Kam selects four servants (บริวาร), i.e. Mek's former wife (Phayia), Phujai's daughter (Pagna), his own wife and the midwife's niece. All his former enemies are neutralised. This movie leaves the viewer still wondering if Kam is acting or really possessed.
Year: 1990
Thai title: ข้ามาจากสวรรค์
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director: พรเพชร
Main actor: Bin Banleurit,Joomjim Khemlek,White Padungkan,Sompong Phonmitr,Somkuan Krajangsat
Main actress:
Thai movie ข้ามาจากสวรรค์ was released in year 1990 and lasts 1h28mn. It was released under VHS format. Movie director is พรเพชร. Phuta (Bin Banleurit) and his father (Somkuan Krajangsat) are living together. The father has a new young wife named Malasee (พิสมัย ภุมา). Lamtien (สรารัตน์ หรุ่มเรืองวงศ์) is Phuta’s girlfriend but her parents refuse this love as Phuta is poor. Phuta (ใจบุญ) is keeping cattle. White Padungkan (ไวท์ ผดุงการ) and Joomjim Khemlek are local drunken ruffians. They beat a beggar (ขอทาน) (Sompong Phonmitr) but Phuta helps. As the beggar has not eaten for days, Phuta gives him his meal. It is in fact an angel (เทวดา). He thanks Phuta for his kindness and promises to help him every time he will ask. Ruffians steal Phuta's cattle while Phuta is resting. Asking for help to the angel, Phuta gets back his cattle. Lamtien wishes to flee with him but Phuta cannot accept such way of acting. Malasee tries to seduce him (ความชั่ว) but he refuses her advances as she is his father's new wife. She complains to the father that Phuta tried to seduce her so the father chases Phuta from his home. Phuta misses his mother (บูชาแม่) so he takes her portrait before leaving. Lamtien's mother wishes to organize a wedding for her (สาวเต็มตัว). The angel gives a treasure but Phuta refuses to take it. At local temple fair, Phuta and Lantiem see White and Malasee together (น่าเกลียด). Phuta's father is getting seriously sick as Malasee is not taking care of him. After a fight, Phuta chases White and Malasee from his home. Lamtiem is now having a fiance as her parents force her (รักไปเอง). The mother gives Phuta a last chance to gather a dowry before the next day. The three ruffians, aware of the treasure and the angel, try to get it. The treasure belongs to Phuta as it is linked to his good deeds during previous lives. Ruffians ask for it and the angel finally accepts but the coffer only includes snakes (บุญไม่มี). The two coffers (บุญเก่า) are found near Phuta’s bed when he wakes up. Indebted, White sells his Buddha amulet to ผีนรก. Phuta was always doing good deeds while others were misbehaving. Marasee and White finally kill each other. Phuta and Lamtien can have happiness.
Year: 1991
Thai title: หลวงตา 3 สีกาข้างวัด
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director: Permpol Choei-arun
Main actor: Lor Tok,Kiet Kijcharouen,Rong Kaomulkadee
Main actress: Chamaiporn Jaturaput,Duangta Tungkamanee
Thai movie หลวงตา 3 สีกาข้างวัด was released in year 1991. As it is linked to Buddhist religion, the story is sensible as based on a real story (อดีตพระนิกร-สีกาอร). The movie was even censored and cut a few times. Lor Tok is playing Luang Ta again. Waen (Kiet Kijcharouen) and Biu are playing temple boys (เด็กวัด) roles. Veteran actress Chamaiporn Jaturaput is playing a market woman (แม่ค้า). Luang Ta is always helping and listening to his community. He also faces various problems of daily life with its lies (people asking for money to ordain but claiming later that money disappears...). Oratai's elder sister, Phiya, is a nun (แม่ชี). She quit her home as her father was a drunkard. She ended up working in a brothel. Luang Ta visits a buddhist temple with Biu and Oratai. The monk there is having a huge number of followers and claims having been in paradise and hell already. Speech competition (เทศ) happens between the two monks. The monk (เณร) proposes to Oratai to be his follower (ลูกศิษย์). Oratai accepts. Later on, the monk is looking for opportunities to be alone with Oratai. Biu and Wen always disturb Phiya as Biu is fond of her. Luang Ta uses a funny stratagem to ensure they stop disturbing Phiya (สงบ). The monk gets massage despite still being young. Phiya, worried about her sister Oratai (สีกา), wishes to get her back (ชาวบ้านนินทา). A monk staying alone with woman is incorrect. It tarnishes Buddhism reputation as religion (เรื่องไม่ดีไม่งาม). Phiya, unable to get back her sister, consults Luang Ta. Luang Ta asks help from a senior monk in the hierarchy. Finally Oratai goes back to her sister. Some followers of this monk are upset about Luang Ta and his friends. They wish to kill them. If the monk is defrocked, then they will lose the good life they get through the money coming from donation! (คนชั่ว). They finally get arrested by the police. Oratai becomes a nun (แม่ชี) also. The movie ends up with compassion message as the market woman educates 4 children that are not hers. Director is Permpol Choei-arun famous for his drama and social movies.
Year: 2000
Thai title: หลวงตา
English title: Luang Ta
Rating: 4/5
Director: Parkpoom Wongpoom
Main actor:
Main actress:
This 8-minute short film was done by Parkpoom Wongpoom, who also directed "Shutter", Thai box office hit horror movie in year 2004. A couple and their boy ask for permission to stay in a Buddhist temple as they are poor. The abbot, who is paraplegic, gives his authorization. During every morning alms, the father and his son accompany the abbot to receive people donations. Many people give money as they wish the abbot to recover. The father keeps part of the money and then the son brings an envelop with the remaining money to the abbot. The son is shocked as it is bad deed to rob money from monks. He decides to hide some money and put it back in the envelop for the abbot. One day he surprises the abbot walking by him-self to check the money amount. This short film highlights the modern corrupted society with a father showing bad pattern to his son and an abbot lying to his followers to get more donations. Real life is cruel...
Year: 2003
Thai title: โอเคเบตง
English title: OK Baytong
Rating: 4/5
Director: Nonzee Nimitbut
Main actor:
Main actress:
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Tum is a Buddhist monk for 27 years. When his sister is killed in a terrorist explosion on a train in the south of Thailand, he decided to disrobe in order to look after his niece. Once in the city, Tum has to learn a new life. Living above his sister's hair salon, he is confronted with a new world he knows nothing about, i.e. cell phones, drinking, sex, love, trousers with zip, to ride a bicycle, to work. This movie also raises Buddhist versus Muslim themes.
Year: 2005
Thai title: หลวงพี่เท่ง
English title: The Holy Man
Rating: 3/5
Director: Note Chernyim
Main actor: Pongsak Pongsuwan,Note Chernyim,Somchai Sakdikul
Main actress:
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A bad-boy-turned monk is trying to bring back the Buddhist faith to villagers. He is facing opposition from a local mafia boss using his daughter as a fake spirit medium. This simple but entertaining comedy was the second-biggest-grossing movie of the year 2005 with a Bt141 million in ticket revenues.
Year: 2006
Thai title: มากับพระ
English title: The Golden Riders
Rating: 3/5
Director:
Main actor: Noppadol Duangporn
Main actress:
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One novice, one young man and one lady are in a train heading to Chiang Rai. The novice is going to famous Buddhist temple "Wat Tham Pa Archa Thong" where monks ride horses. The lady, called Tengmo, is heartbroken and goes back to her parent's home. She is the daughter of a local district officer. The young man called Phon has been laid off and is going for a break. The novice is from Bangkok has difficulty to get used to the life inside the temple. The abbot is very demanding. He is working with the two young people to teach local mountain people to get rid of debts but the local district officer doesn't appreciate their action. This comedy illustrates the decline of the role of Buddhist monks as sacred and unchallengeable in Thai movies. The abbot is still a model but his monks sometimes forget the Buddhist rules through a comic way. The local district officer combines with a former soldier, who claims he has hidden gold ingots inside the ground where the temple is now built. Pressure is done on abbot to move his temple to another location but finally no gold can be found. The gold was found previously by a monk and used to build a big Buddha statue (same story as Wat Traimit).
Year: 2008
Thai title: หลวงพี่เท่ง 2 รุ่นฮาร่ำรวย
English title: The Holy man 2
Rating: 3/5
Director:
Main actor: Joey Boy
Main actress:
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The Holy man 2 is a follow up to the hit 2005 comedy. Rapper Joey Boy has the lead role as a young monk bringing his wisdom to a remote village. Luang Phi Teng has gone to Tibet. Luang Phi Tet replaces him and has decided to go "thudong" as a forest monk but faces many misfortunes. He finally arrives to a temple close to a quarry. Every time there are explosions in the mountain, the temple is damaged with debris and monks have to wear helmets. It is based on a real 2006 news: "there is a temple in Pak Tho district, where the monks wear crash helmets during evening prayers to protect them from the daily rain of stones; the quarry had continued rock blasting even though the provincial governor imposed a temporary ban on its operations near the temple after a monk was injured". Luang Phi Tet updates the way to say sermon. The abbot is singing "Luuk Thung" (ลูกทุ่ง) but Luang Phi Tet uses Thai hip hop. Luang Phi Tet wants also to stop the quarry explosions but he faces the refusal from the abbot as the previous monk, who tried before, died. Luang Phi Tet succeeds to unify the local Christian, Muslim and Buddhist community to enforce and protect the village against quarry debris. His dedication as a "development monk" (พระนักพัฒนะ) causes the quarry owner's ire and this latter uses a hit man to kill Luang Phi Tet but he misses his target. Luang Phi Tet then gather all villagers to challenge the quarry owner and he succeeds to win. This story through comic episodes deliver messages related to Thai culture and society, tolerance (all religions can live together and support each other), fight against corrupted men (nobody is above the law).
Year: 2009
Thai title: หลวงพี่กับผีขนุน
English title:
Rating: 4/5
Director:
Main actor: Mum Jokmok
Main actress:
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Seua is a sales manager, who acts badly in his life. He takes advantages of old people to sell them expensive goods and services. Following customers' complains, police tries to catch him. He flees to his home town, where his mother has found a wife for him but he has to become a Buddhist monk first. He has difficulty to get used to monk life (walk bare foot, eat whatever people offer you during morning alms, no comb...). At the same time, an egoist and rapacious old lady died in the village while trying to catch a jackfruit (ขนุน). Her ghost frightens all the villagers when they try to eat her jackfruit! Seua has to find solutions as the temple abbot is on trip. Seua starts to change his mind and behavior (promise to take care about his old mother, be nice to others, doesn't disrobe despite difficulties in order to help the villagers, understanding that ordination rite is an act towards the others - parents and community -). The ghost finally accepts its death. The police officer, understanding that Seua has changed his mindset, doesn't catch him. Seua finally marries a woman he truly loves.
Year: 2009
Thai title: โยมผีพ่อ
English title: Yom-Pee-Poa
Rating: 2/5
Director:
Main actor: Kiet Kijcharouen,Suchao Pongwilai,Jaturong Mokjok,Der Doksadao
Main actress: Naowarat Yooktanun
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A turbulent boy, called Yung, becomes a Buddhist novice. It is a relief for the village as this boy spent his time annoying villagers. A ghost is seen inside the village Buddhist temple. Villagers use talismans (ของดี) to protect themselves against the ghost. The ghost, called Tik, is pacifist and even funny (ผีตลก). Tik is Yung's father. He requests his son to find his wife (Yung's mother) with whom he misbehaves before. They are going to Bangkok. The mother, called Tom, is working in a Karaoke. Tik cannot rebirth (เกิดใหม่) if Tom doesn't forgive him. Chao, Tom's father, tries to help. Tom is protected by a mafia boss. The mafia boss shots Tom. Both Tom and Tik can rebirth happily. This movie is another ghost comedy with Buddhist monks. This comedy includes visual gags, sonorous gags, witty riposte in dialogues. It is targeted for a rural audience public. This movie messages are related to gratitude (กตัญญ) over parents and to always try and never give up. It is a typical comedy movie of 2000s decade, i.e. quite pleasant to see (หายความเครียด) but immediately forgotten.
Year: 2010
Thai title: นาคปรก
English title: In the shadow of Naga
Rating: 5/5
Director: Pawat Pawangkasiri
Main actor: Ray McDonald,Sahat Piempongsan,Somchai Khemklad
Main actress: Intira Jaroenpura
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7 millions of baht have been hidden following a robbery. One of the robber is called Sing. His girlfriend is a prostitute. The police raids the illegal casino (บ่อน) she is staying in. They are looking for Sing but she doesn't know where he is hiding. The money has been hidden in a Buddhist temple. The three robbers come back to the temple but a chapel (โบสถ์) has been constructed on the top of the cache. They need to dig (ต้องขุด) but as it takes time, the only way is to become monk (ต้องบวช) in order to be able to stay in the temple. Sing points his gun to the abbot to force the ordination. Sing and Dang ordinate (เป็นพระ). Pong prefers to remain as a temple boy. Sing and Pong behave badly as monk, i.e. chase dog with feet, say bad words, don't follow closely the temple rules (ระเบียบของวัด), smoke, hit novice (เณร), don't pray before eating. Sing is atheist and calls the abbot as 'boss' instead of เจ้าอาวาส. At night time, they dig. The morning arrives earlier than expected. They need to hit the temple gong (ระฆัง), need to say blessings. The abbot has to justify their inexperience by mentioning they are new monks (พระบวชใหม่) from Thudong order (พระธุดงค์). Sing cannot support the food at lunch time made of alms donation (ฉันเพื่ออยู่ไม่ใช้อยู่เพื่อฉัน). The abbot is also doing tatoos. Pong asks for tatoos also (ศาสนาพุทธศักดิ์สิทธิ์เกิน ดีกว่าคุณทำร้ายได้). Sing is still complaining. His feet hurt as he is not used to walk bare foot. Life prison was easier. Food is not good. Earlier they promised to share 50% of the money with a fourth unknown man. The abbot has money on him and doesn't hesitate to touch a woman bitten by a snake. Dang and Sing hit badly robbers who were trying to steal Buddha statues in order to protect their secret digging activities inside the chapel. They lie to villagers (หลอกชาวบ้าน). They know they are wrong but still do wrong (รู้ว่าทำผิดแต่ยังทำผิด). Sing misses his girlfriend Nam Peung so he invites her to join him to Wat Pa Lom but she refuses believing it is another bad joke from Sing (ช่วยตัวเองก็แล้วกัน). Believing it can be good for her karma, she finally visits the temple and finds Sing as a monk (หลวงพี่). Sings removes his monk robe to make love to Nam Peung. Sing breaches all Buddhist precepts and brings trouble to the temple community. Pong is a good guy and explains to the abbot what happens before. They did a bank robbery (ปล้นเงิน) and hide the money inside the temple's chapel. Pong wanted to help his blind mother. He has lengthy discussion with the abbot about Buddhism (It is possible to teach some people to be good, it is more difficult with some others สอนให้เป็นคนดีบางคนสอนได้บางคนสอนยาก - Badness is easier to do than goodness / ความชั่วทำง่ายความดียทำยาก). Being discovered by other monks, Sing and Dang threathen to kill the monks if they don't help to dig. At morning time, they need to go for alms (เป็นเวลาบิณฑบาตร). If they don't go, they will have nothing to eat. Today is Makabucha day so local people are coming for offerings (บูชา) and listen to sermon (ฟังเทศน์). Dang decides to give them a poignant sermon regarding children working far away from parents to send them money and encourage parents to teach well their kids (สอนลูกดีดี - กตัญญู) to avoid becoming bad guy like him. While digging, they find a cache but no money. Sing starts to break the main Buddha statue. There is a small golden statue inside. A police inspector enters the chapel. Nam Peung was keeping the police inspector informed. He is a corrupted cop asking for his share. They shot at each other. The police inspector is hit. Dang is hit also. Nam Peung hits Sing, who was going to shoot the abbot. Nam Peung finds the money bag in the base of the Buddha statue but it is empty. She prefers to suicide herself instead of surrending to the police. The abbot takes the responsability on him (ผิดเอง). Pong is arrested. 4 years passed. Pong is doing ordination for his blind mother, who cries when holding the yellow robes (ผ้าเหลือง). The former abbot has defrocked. He has now a wife and a child. He is driving a Mercedes car. He comes back to get the golden Buddha statue. He was the one who kept the money. He is finally arrested and the statue is restituted to the temple. After 3 years waiting for the new film law to avoid a ban, this movie was finally released uncut with a Rate 18+. Making a story with bad monks is strong for the local Thai audience as faith and crime are always taboo in Thai films. There is a comparison between the four characters and the four types of lotus in Buddhism (บัวประเภทไหน).
Year: 2010
Thai title: 9 วัด
English title: Secret Sunday
Rating: 5/5
Director:
Main actor:
Main actress: Penpak Sirikul
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Nat has a blondish girlfriend Poon. She has often ghosts visions. They get an invitation to go to Chiang Mai. On the way, they stop to visit Nat's mother. Nat's mother has a bad dream. She frequently visits temples and would like her son to make merit (ทำบุญ) in nine temples (9 วัด). Nat needs to clean his karma by doing merit. There is a strong opposition between the old style mum (แม่โบราณ) and the young modern woman, Poon. Nat finally accepts his mother's request. He meets a monk, who was a childhood friend. The monk goes with them for the nine temples visit. Nat and Poon are young and modern youngsters, who don't know religion and how to show respect to monks (They always call him 'phra' - พระ - instead of 'Luang Phi' - หลวงพี่). Nat doesn't give respect to Buddha images (ไม่ไหว้พระใหญ่). They don't understand why the young man is going for the forest way of life (ธุดง) and how he can sleep in cemeteries (ป่าช้า). Nat is always hot tempered (ใจร้อน). Many warnings are given to them through visions and through the monk's remarks (ช่วยไม่ทันยิ่งทรมานเปล่าๆ). They face death, face accidents, see dead people and ghosts. Those are warnings to them. It is linked to their karma (กรรม) and they cannot escape it. Poon asks the monk's help but Nat refuses to believe up to the point they break up. They are followed up by terrible actions linked to her past. In previous life, they were linked to a young disfigured boy set prisoner in a remote forest hut by his mum as he killed her lover fearing to lose his mother. They finally get reunited and bring the monk to destination. Nat, Poon and Nat's mother share the same past and all come to the same house where the young boy was held prisoner. They need to do more merit (กุศล). The monk and Nat are born the same day. The mother tried to deceive the karma (หลอกกรรม) by interchanging the babies. Her real son is the monk. But the karma cannot be escaped. However it can be altered (กรรมเปลี่ยนไม่ได้แต่แก้ไขได้). Karma is following us (กรรมตาม). The monk is protected from karma by his yellow robe (ผ้าเหลือง) but not Nat. So he is the one to suffer. The monk pays for the past sins through redemption (ชดใช้) by giving his own life so the karma is over. Nat, Poon and the mother are being reunited as a family. The movie features a nice fresh soundtrack.
Year: 2010
Thai title: หลวงพี่เท่ง 3
English title: The Holy man 3
Rating: 3/5
Director:
Main actor: Krissada Sukosol,Note Chernyim,Akom Preedakul,Koeti Aramboy,Der Doksadao
Main actress:
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Noi decides to enter the monkhood (บวช) and rejects his rock star attitude. He is looking for calm (เอาความสงบ) as he is a stressed man. The abbot reminds him the analogy between a hose splashing randomly due to water pressure and the spirit always wandering. Funny gags happen when monks are going out for alms (บิณฑบาตร) due to small size comic actor Koeti Aramboy trying to offer food to a giant monk or when a man is still jealous that his wife has a sweet spot for the abbot since decades. As usual there are flatulence jokes when spicy and sour food is given to monks. Robbers steal the temple bell (ระฆัง). Later they come to steal the Buddha head (มาขโมยพระ). Monks are all drugged but hopefully the main Buddha statue (หลวงพ่อ) is not stolen as it is too heavy! The gang leader is a burlesque Chinese vendor. He uses false claims regarding the monks that they enter monkhood while leaving pregnant women behind them. Noi is smart enough to counter their lies. Actor Akom Preedakul is playing a funny Thai boxing trainer bringing coyote dancers to the temple! Similar to 1980s-1990s decade comedy ghost movies, there is an sequence about villagers fleeing ghosts. Unfortunately the Buddha statue head is cut and stolen by the Chinese gang. The giant monk disguises himself as soft real Bouddha statue (Luang Pho Nim - หลวงพ่อนิ่ม) as a trick to find their cache. Then Noi asks his former bikers friends for help. They are led by Ed carabao, real leader of famous Thai band Carabao. The robbers are captured and the Buddha head recovered.
Year: 2011
Thai title: ศพไม่เงียบ
English title: Mindfulness and Murder
Rating: 5/5
Director: Tom Waller
Main actor: Sithao Petcharoen
Main actress: Natalie Glebova
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An expensive Mercedes car driven by a young couple hits a motorbike causing the driver death. A call of the father to the police inspector makes him to release the son. Police inspector seems disillusioned. A dead body is found in the temple with a carrot in the mouth. Police is called. The same police inspector is coming. The police inspector doesn't want to investigate on such case as it is only a poor temple boy (เด็กวัดยากจน) who died. A senior monk called Ananda (หลวงพ่อ), who is a former policeman, decides to investigate why this young man called Noi died. Some monks are smoking in the temple and look like ruffians with their numerous tattoos. Luang Pho Ananda gets Noi’s remaining belongings and finds a note with a name. Some monks believe Noi was involved in drugs (ติดยา) as he has an expensive brand new phone. Luang Pho Ananda finds Noi’s aunt and discovers Noi had a sad life with a mother who hang herself. The temple abbot is giving advice on lottery numbers. Luang Pho Ananda has to investigate while continuing performing his duties (prayers, morning alms round). Luang Pho Ananda finds that one of the monks has left suddenly the Buddhist temple. So this monk called Bandit Tho becomes a suspect. Luang Pho Ananda also meets a Bangkokpost journalist investigating on drug traffic in his temple. Inquiry is also going on foot prints found near the dead body and a hand writing style. Luang Pho Ananda questions many monks including a monk smoking, another monk from Chiang Rai who slept with naked Noi as he felt lonely. There is difficulty to investigate in the Buddhist temple as the secret tradition remains strong. Luang Pho Ananda has to chase from the temple compound some youngsters selling drugs. It is found that Bandit Tho was an uncovered policeman investigating on drugs traffic in the temple. The expensive Buddhist amulet found on Noi's body is coming from Chiang Rai. It is weird as Noi was coming from Isan area. The abbot was aware of drug selling but kept the secret to avoid bad publicity to his temple. Noi's body has cigarette butt scars so it looks like he has been tortured before being killed. During Noi’s body creation it is found that it is not Noi’s corpse but Bandit Tho’s body, i.e. the monk who disappeared! Noi’s body is found inside the crematorium. it looks like somebody wished to burn incognito the two bodies at same time. Luang Pho Ananda is always accompanied with a young disabled temple boy called Jek. Luang Pho Ananda discovers that Bandit Tho was not a real policeman so causing ire to the local police head who threatens the abbot to stop donations to the temple. A dangerous snake is put in Luang Pho Ananda’s room. Despite all these threats, Luang Pho Ananda identifies the killer. His life is saved thanks to the young temple boy’s dedication. It is a great thriller Buddhist movie very realistic regarding life in a temple by showing bad things but also good things. It is good that the movie was not censored despite showing bad monks behavior. It got a 15-plus rating. It is a sign that Thai movies censorship is evolving. In 2006, Thai movie “Syndromes and a Century” (แสงศตวรรษ) was censored for much less controversial parts!
Year: 2011
Thai title: อุโมงค์ผาเมือง นางยั่วสวาท
English title: The Outrage
Rating: 5/5
Director: Pantewanop Tewakul
Main actor: Ananda Everingham,Phongphat Wachirabanjong,Mum Jokmok,Dom Hetrakul,Mario Maurer
Main actress: Chermarn Boonyasak
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A young monk Anoon goes to visit his father as wandering monk (พระธุดงค์). He recalls his life while walking home. He remembers his twin brother, Anan, whose wife died while delivering a baby. He wishes to disrobe (สึก) as he lost abilities to find answers to people regarding life. While wandering in the forest, he meets a noble couple on horse and palanquin. The husband is found later dead in the forest. Bandit Singkham is caught. Before being sentenced, he narrates the story. Bandit (โจรป้า) Singkham, seeing the beautiful lady in the palanquin, wishes to have her becoming his wife so he needs to get rid of the husband Khun Seuk (Ananda Everingham). He claims to have some golden swords to sell. It is a trick to knock out the husband and then kills all guards. He rapes her in front of the husband and she takes pleasure at it. He doesn't kill them but the lady complains the bandit doesn't give credit to their rank (เกียรติ). Singkham finally releases the husband and offers him a duel to avenge his honor. Despite being a strong swordsman, the husband is defeated by the smart forest bandit. During the trial, the wife also narrates her story. She was the daughter of a domestic servant. Khun Seuk was fond of her because of her beauty and married her four years ago. Following the rape, Khun Seuk desigrates his wife. She is no longer worth causing her heart to broken as she is not responsible of this event. Did she kill her own husband as she claims? The tribunal uses a medium to know the truth from the spirit (ผี). Khun Seuk's wife asks bandit Singkham to take her with him and to kill Khun Seuk also (ใจดำ). Singkham refuses to do so. The wife flees. Singkham releases Khun Seuk but he cannot stop crying knowing his wife treachery. He finally kills himself. Who is telling the truth? A domestic helper Prasok passing by during the event finally tells the truth. The wife denigrates Singkham refusing to go either him or glare him. To proof his worthiness, the wife Sampai asks him to defeat Khun Seuk in a fight. Khun Seuk refuses to fight with Singkham as it is below his status. He complains his wife still remains a low level woman (ลูกคนครัว) as she accepted the rape instead of killing herself avoid him to lose face (ขายหน้า). Sampai remains alone as both men refuse to take her anymore. Both of them are not real men (ไม่ใช่ลูกผู้ชาย). Following a duel, Khun Seuk impales himself. The one getting the blade was Prasok himself to sell it to get money for his poor family. Prasok and the beggar teach the young monk a lot on humanity. The young monk finally stays in the monkhood. Movie "Kon Khon" (คนโขน) was Thailand's submission to 2012 Academy Awards. It was a controversial choice because of lack of critical acclaim and box-office success. Movie อุโมงค์ผาเมือง นางยั่วสวาท / The Outrage was not chosen as it is a remake of Akira Kurosawa's award-winning "Rashomon" (1950). “Rashomon" was translated into Thai by the statesman MR Kukrit Pramoj. The movie includes Buddhist themes related to jealousy, greed for women or for jewels, lies, human behaving like animal (สัตว์), hatred, ire, lie, lazy, simulation, cowardliness, weakness towards women cries, death, unhappiness (ความทุกข์), status of high people (ผู้ดี). Greed causes to lose finally everything.
Year: 2011
Thai title: เท่ง โหน่ง จีวรบิน
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director: Pongsak Pongsuwan
Main actor: Pongsak Pongsuwan,Chusak Aiemsuk,Mum Jokmok,Somchai Sakdikul,Akom Preedakul
Main actress: Tukkie
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Thai movie เท่ง โหน่ง จีวรบิน was released in year 2011. It lasts 1h26mn. Sia Nong (Chusak Aiemsuk) welcomes a Thai monk (Pongsak Pongsuwan) coming to Tibet by plane. A TV program announced that ruffians’ leader Somchai Sakdikul has escaped from prison. Inside the plane, there are also Tukkie (ตุ๊กกี้ ชิงร้อย) as air hostess, Mum Jokmok as pilot, Amina (อมีนา พินิจ) as secretary. They board in the plane but it is hijacked by Somchai (สมชาย เข็มกลัด). He forces all the men to jump from the plane except the monk and the secretary. The robbers target a safe belonging to Sia Nong. The plane lands in the Golden Triangle but the robbers are unable to open the safe. Thanks to coded sentences, the monk succeeds to find the first code. As a comic interlude, Akom Preedakul comes to buy drugs and weapons. A second code is needed to open the safe but the secretary Amina asks for guarantee for her and the monk. By saving a child having fever, the monk gets reconnaissance from the villagers as they believed the kid was possessed (ผีเข้า). The monk gets mystic power recognition (บรามีหลวงพี่). He succeeds to change the villagers’ mentality but Somchai is still his enemy. Somchai rebels against Sadikul. Sadikul lets them flee by plane. Fighting happens in the plane and the monk has to use a lingam (ลิงค์) to prevent petrol leaking. As a monk cannot touch a woman, he is unable to reenter in the plane… The plane finally succeeds to land miraculously. Sadikul goes to jail for 5 years and humbly recognised that having sacred amulets cannot help when you misbehave. Right behavior is inside the heart. This comedy still delivers a few key Buddhist messages.
Year: 2015
Thai title: อาปัติ
English title: Arbat
Rating: 5/5
Director:
Main actor: Charlie Trairattana,Sorapong Chatree
Main actress:
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Thai movie อาปัติ was released in year 2015. It lasts 1h20mn. The movie อาบัติ was censored and finally renamed as อาปัติ after removing some controversial scenes. Thai movie "Arbat" (อาบัติ) was first banned in 2015. Thai Censorship Board objected to the movie not being respectful to Thai Buddhism (novice drinking alcohol, novices fighting, novice showing disrespect to the Buddha image, novice touching the face of a girl). Finally after cutting three minutes, the movie was unbanned and released under new name "Arpatti" (อาปัติ). The movie still shows young monks smoking and playing with their smartphone but those are typical scenes that can be seen nowadays in Buddhist temples. The movie director mentions it was a way to attract attention on issues happening in nowadays Thai Buddhism. Novice (เณร) San (Charlie Trairattana) just enters monkhood. San is back from prison after 2 years and his father still does not forgive him. In this Buddhist temple, they provide food and prayers for hungry ghosts (เปรต). Not everybody can see hungry ghost (One way to to see a ghost is to bend over, stick the head between legs and look behind). San still tries to contact his girlfriend through Line but she doesn't answer. Sorapong Chatree is playing a crazy guy. San meets a young teen girl called Fai. San has visions of ghosts in his room. San is upset as his girlfriend doesn't answer. She finally tells him that she wishes to break (เลิก). Upset San drinks alcohol and is discovered by other monks. He wishes to disrobe (สึก). Issues are happening with the crazy guy, who mentions a ghost is around San's cloister (กุฏิ) and is also stealing alms offering (บิณฑบาต) food. But as the abbot takes too long time to let him go, he wishes to remove the robe by himself (อย่าถอดผ้าเหลือง). He has often discussion with another Luang Phi, who had a sad childhood. His mother Pin hanged herself in the cloister, where San is now staying. Pin used to live in front of Fai's house. Pin used to love a monk but this love was impossible (บาป). Per local superstition, she should reincarnate in a hungry ghost. San decides to flee with Fai. The crazy guy was a Buddhist abbot and had an affair with Pin (อาบัติ - offence). As she hanged herself, the abbot buried her. He also killed Luang Phi, Pin's first son, to silence him. Following the crime, he becomes crazy being tormented by Pin's ghost. San needs to choose if he wants to be a holy man (นักบุญ) or a sinner (นักบาป). Luang Phi body is finally discovered and cremated properly. His half-brother is the now current abbot. San decides to stay in the monkhood.
Year: 2016
Thai title: กลัว
English title: The Story
Rating: 4/5
Director:
Main actor:
Main actress:
Thai short film กลัว / The Story was released in year 2016 on YouTube and on Thai TV NBT ช่อง 11. It lasts 32 minutes and is based on a real story. Sa, a young Muslim teen living in Pattani, is in grade ม.6. Her mother is working in Malaysia. Sa needs to stop her study and to find a job as her family is poor. She was mainly raised by her grandparents. Due to insurrection in South of Thailand, insecurity and fear (กลัว) are always present. One day, she carries a small boy injured during a bombing. She finally gets a chance to go to university (ได้ทุน) in Nakhon Thammarat to study medicine. Fear (ความกลัว) is present in daily life through anti-intrusion barriers in front of Buddhist temples, Thai armed soldiers controlling circulation. The university includes Buddhist and Muslim students so they have to work together and to go beyond cultural issues. Friendship can be built through love (มิตรภาพยนตร์สร้างได้และ หล่อหลอมด้วยความรัก). Both Muslim (ไทยมุสลิม) and Buddhist (ไทยพุทธ) students love the same land. One day, one of her Muslim friend's father, is killed so misunderstanding does happen again between Muslim and Buddhist students. Finally friendship is stronger than misunderstanding as Fatima is back. Nobody understand Muslims as well as another Muslim, so Sa wishes to go back to her village to take care of people by being a doctor.
Year: 2019
Thai title: หหลวงตามหาเฮง
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director: เจริญ รุ่งเรืองทรัพย์
Main actor: Akom Preedakul
Main actress:
Thai movie หหลวงตามหาเฮง was released in year 2019 and lasts 2h03mn. Movie director is เจริญ รุ่งเรืองทรัพย์. This comedy features a few Buddhist messages encouraging people to stop playing the lottery. This is the start of the Buddhist Lent. Luang Ta (Akom Preedakul) invites his followers to be back on August 15. Meanwhile, some locals interpret his words and extract numbers from them. They wish to buy lottery tickets featuring Luang Ta lucky numbers (เลขหลวงตา) such as 888. Luang Ta has three disciples (ลูกศิษย์) to help him but they are quite lazy. Two rich ladies are earning money through an illegal lottery organisation (หวยเถื่อน). They lose a lot of money at Luang Ta's numbers are really lucky. They lose again as people still interpret Luang Ta’s speeches as numbers. Luang Ta asks them to stop playing the lottery. The ladies' two sons are becoming policemen and soldiers. As a joke, Luang Ta mentions he may end up as prime minister! One third lady won the 30M THB lottery, but she collapsed as a shock. She was close to a crazy lady (คนบ้า) who cannot help. A mother having thrown away her child twenty years ago in the Buddhist temple comes back to see Luang Ta. Her son, being of Luang Ta's disciples, refuses to forgive. The rich mother cannot get used to the fact that his policeman son gets a wife much older than him. The mother calls a shaman (หมอผี) to chase the wife, but it fails. Meanwhile the two ladies keep losing money as people buy tickets with numbers mentioned by Luang Ta in sermons. They hire two small thugs to kidnap Luang Ta to prevent him from sharing anymore numbers. The crazy lady, having heard the thugs, inform the three disciples for them to release Luang Ta. The two rich ladies are very concerned as they are close to bankruptcy, so they ask the two thugs to get rid of Luang Ta by any means. Seeing one of Lang Ta's disciples involved in drugs (ยาบ้า), it gives them ideas. The city market is facing an upsurge of drug traffic. Many teens are addicted. Parents are looking for the traffickers. The two thugs accuse Luang Ta, so the villagers wish Luang Ta and his disciples to quit the district (ออกไป). One of the disciples, Som, mentions he borrowed money from the local mafia to start a small lottery business, but he was not involved in drugs. When Som is giving back the borrowed money, the mafia mentions it is not enough. A fight occurs. Friends come to help but Som ends up at hospital. Luang Ta visits Som at hospital at same time and gets shot by accident by ruffians. Luang Ta hospital bills increase to 300,000 THB. The policeman and soldier help with their golden Buddha amulets but it is not enough. Luckily Rot, one of Luang Ta's disciples, wins the lottery as his dog has chosen a lucky ticket. He gets hit by a car while rushing to the lottery shop. Finally, he doesn't die but loses one arm. Luang Ta and his three disciples leave for Bangkok. Luang Ta reminds the villagers not to play lottery anymore and especially the illegal lottery.
Theme of Buddhism is present in Thai movies. Some movies describe the concepts of Buddhism from the jakata stories Many Thai films present also the idea of karma.
Year: 1954
Thai title: สันติ-วีณา
English title: Santi-Vina
Rating: 5/5
Director: Ratana Pestonji
Main actor:
Main actress: Rewadee Siriwilai
Thai movie สันติ-วีณา (Santi-Vina) was considered as a lost movie during many years. It was finally discovered again, restored and available in full length of 113 minutes. In year 2016 it was shown during Cannes Classic section of the 69th Cannes Film Festival. It was the first 35mm Thai movie ever realised. It was produced by หนุมานภาพยนตร์ and directed by Ratana Pestonji in year 1954. Movie Santi-Vina entered Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Tokyo and got three awards. It was the first Thai movie to participate to overseas movies competition and to get award. When back to Thailand, the film couldn't enter due to tax issue. So it was sent to England and got lost! Luckily it was found again in year 2014 in England in the British Film Institute and also in Russian and Chinese Film archives. Santi-Vina was the first Thai movie to be shown in mainland China. A film researcher found that the movie "Santi-Vina" had been sold to Russia and China in the 1950s and was released in those countries. Thai Film Archives kept also a poor quality copy. The restored movie has a colorful and crisp HD image. Santi-Vina movie was released by Thai Film Archives in year 2017 under DVD format. Santi, a poor 10 years old blind boy, is living with his father. Vina, a young girl, takes a pity on him and tries to protect him from the harassing of another boy called Krai. Vina brings Santi to school. Santi’s father sends him to stay with Luang Ta, a respectable monk, hopefully that he would learn the Buddhist lessons and by doing good deed, he could regain his eyesight. When they have grown up, Santi and Vina (Rewadee Siriwila) become lovers during Loy Krathong festival. By seeing the flower given by Vina in Santi’s hand, the monk understands there is no ending to human suffering. If Santi regains sight one day, the monk wishes he would join the monkhood but in his mind, Santi is thinking about Vina only. Seeing Vina and Santi together, Krai feels jealous because he also loves Vina. Krai asks his parent to arrange a marriage proposal to Vina. Vina’s parents are convinced as Krai’s father is the village leader. The love story with a blind man (ไอบอด) is impossible as he will not be able to care about his wife. Nevertheless Vina doesn’t love Krai so she decides to run away with Santi. Krai tries to stop them at the temple cave but during the fighting, Santi defeats him. However, they are finally caught as trackers are using horses and Santi is severely beaten by Krai. On the day Vina gets married with Krai, Santi feels very sad and decides to get suicide by heading to the cave where big rocks often fall. Luang Ta loses his life in order to save Santi’s life. Santi’s eyesight is miraculous cured but he realizes that life has no more meaning as he lost Luang Ta. Reminding Luang Ta’s comments, Santi reaches real happiness in life is by entering the monkhood. He knows that love together with Vina is no longer possible. In 1976, Pestoni's son Santa remade "Santi-Vina" as a tribute to his father. This remake is currently in poor condition.
Year: 1958
Thai title: สวรรค์มืด
English title: Dark Heaven
Rating: 4/5
Director: Ratana Pestonji
Main actor:
Main actress: Chosri Misommon
Thai movie สวรรค์มืด / Dark Heaven was released in year 1958 and lasts 1h39mn. Movie director is Rattana Pestonji. The movie was released on DVD format by Thai Film Archives. A young poor lady, Nien (สืบเนื่อง กันภัย), is hungry and steals the food from a rich man, buying chicken for his dogs. He runs after her and asks the police for help. Young man, Chu (สุเทพ วงศ์กำแหง), being a rubbish collector, hides her in his vehicle. He blames the old man buying expensive goods for his dog and not being able to have compassion for a young poor hungry lady. Chu helps Nien. Chu invites Nien to his home as she has nowhere to go and is hungry. Love slowly emerges. Multiple songs are featured in this movie. As he doesn't dare to declare his love to Nien, Chu brings a fake radio at home and sings a love song when Nien turns it on. Chu is selected to be sent to the Korean war as a soldier. He has to leave Nien behind. He asks her to wear men's clothes and succeeds in having her employed as a rubbish collector before leaving. This is a tiring job for Nien. She meets a lady (เพ็ญศรี พุ่มชูศรี) looking for a clairvoyant (หมอดู). The lady loses an expensive bracelet, but Nien runs after her to give it back. Seeing that the rubbish collector is a woman and sad to know Nien has no family, she asks to adopt her as she has no daughter. The rich lady has a domestic helper (Chosri Misommon). A man having studied overseas is enamored with Nien and wishes to marry her. Nien is not interested, but he insists. Meanwhile Chu is injured on the battlefield. The young man is coming with his father to ask for Nien's hand. Nien recognizes the father as being the rich man that chased her when she was poor and hungry. She asks some requirements of the father regarding his son, especially about kindness. He claims all members of his family including himself are truly kind to all other people. She reminds him about the theft incident last year and rejects the wedding request as she doesn't believe he is truly kind. He is just a liar. Finally, Chu is back but he is blind. Knowing that Nien is having happiness, he refuses to meet her again as he is blind now. Nien is informed by the policeman that Chu is back. She visits him in his old home. Chu would like to break up with Nien as he doesn't want to be a burden for her. She refuses. Asking Nien to buy water for him, he puts poison in his food and eats it. Soldiers had poison fiole with them in case they would be captured by enemies. Nien is back and eats the food also despite Chu trying to prevent her. Her family and friends arrive in the old house. Chu and Nien give their departure farewell as they are about to die. One military friend discloses he removed the poison from the flask as he was worried about Chu. Nien and Chu can finally have happiness together.
Year: 1961
Thai title: แพรดำ
English title: Black Silk
Rating: 5/5
Director: Ratana Pestonji
Main actor:
Main actress:
Seni is a manager of a nightclub. Two men, Sin and Wan, come to visit him and ask him to pay back his debts but he has no money! He refuses to pay and threatening words are exchanged. Young man Tom is used by Seni as odd job man. Phrae, a young widow, is working on clothes confection. She has a baby. Her surname is “Phrae dam” (แพรดำ) as she is mourning for two years. Tom wants to bring happiness back to her but she always refuses to go out with him arguing it is still too early. Sema, Seni’s twin brother (ลูกแฟด), just dies of malaria. Seni decides to bury the corpse there and not bring it back to Bangkok. He has a hidden plan. Since years Seni wishes to buy Wan's land but knows Wan will never sell to him due to the debt issue. Seni asks Tom to bring Phrae in order that she pretends to be the buyer. Things turn wrong as Phrae is not aware of the role she is expected to play and Wan refuses to sell. Seni strangles Wan and Tom shots Sin. Seni disguises this as a crime, i.e. Sin having killed Wan and then fleeing away. Phrae has a temporary loss of consciousness. Tom forgets Phrae's shoes there. Seni then simulates his death in a car crash. A burnt corpse is found in the car. It is in fact Sin's corpse. Seni takes Sema’s identity, his own brother, in order to get life insurance payment following the car accident. Tom shall get a part in order to marry with Phrae. Seni has a reputation of good man but he is in fact evil. He is now the new owner of the nightclub under Sema's identity and gets the money from insurance company. Meanwhile Phrae is always sick. Phrae chases Tom from her house as he is a murderer. Sema is worried that Phrae could disclose the whole truth so he suggests Tom to stop seeing her. He gives Tom 20 000 bath and a car. Sema has a plan to control Phrae without killing her. Her baby is kidnapped. Sema sets up a plan pretending Sin's father has killed Tom and kidnapped Phrae's child as retaliation. If she dares going to police, the baby will die. Lost, she consults the temple abbot who advices her to become a nun (แม่ชี) to find inner peace. She has already been punished by losing her child by mingling with those two crooks. From black clothes (ดำ) she now wears white clothes. Tom still takes care of her child and wishes to find her as the baby is very sick. He finally finds her. She quits the nunnery to look after her baby. Tom dreams of a new life with Phrae and the baby but Phrae refuses as he lied to her so many times. Sema, aware that Tom brings Phrae back home, rushes to find them. To protect Phrae from Sema, Tom has to shoot him. Police catches him and Phrae. The baby dies while they are in jail. A trial happens. Tom denies any wrong doing but the shoes left by Phrae are the missing proof. Tom is sentenced to death. Phrae is spared and becomes a nun again. People may believe Karma (กรรม) doesn’t exist but this movie highlights its impacts and results on people actions. Bad deeds and sinners have been punished. It was a 35mm movie released in 1961. Phrae is played by Ratana Pestonji’s own daughter. It was shot in 35mm so that it could participate to overseas movies competitions such as Berlin 1961 festival. The movie got a photography award in Thai cinema yearly awards ceremony in 1961. This movie has also been registered as National Heritage per the 2016 list released by the Thai Film Archive.
Year: 1974
Thai title: พิษสวาท
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director: Ruj Ronnapop
Main actor: Sombat Methanee,Ruj Ronnapop,Somchai Samipak,Thep Thienchai
Main actress: Aranya Namwong,Mayurachath Muarnprasitivej
Thai movie พิษสวาท was released in year 1974 and lasts 2h20mn. The movie is only available on VHS and was never released on VCD or DVD. The picture is very colourful and sharp. Akanee (Sombat Methanee) has a dream where he cuts the head of a woman. The following day, his friend Chet (Ruj Ronnapop) introduced him to a lady called Chorasinee (Aranya Namwong). She is expert in ancient artifacts (นักนิยมของเก่า). She notices a special jewel owned by Akanee. Akanee is very confused as she is the same lady he just beheaded in his dream. Chorasinee seems to know a lot of things about him. She is able to recall many strange past events. Thip (Mayurachath Muarnprasitivej) loves secretly Akanee. Chorasinee often comes and disappears very fast. She warns Akanee about things not to be done wrongly a second time as nobody has two chances in life! During a charity performance, Chorasinee promises to play an evil lady (นางปีศาจ). Somchai Samipak is interested by her. It seems that Akanee met her in a previous life when he was a prince. She asks her life back to Akanee (ถ่วงชีวิต). Robbers try to steal Akanee's jewel but get punished by an invisible spirit. Chorasinee invites Akanee, Thip and Chet to her home in Ayutthaya. Thep Thienchai welcomes them. During Ayutthaya period, Akanee protected the treasure of the Siamese King. Akanee, to ensure the treasure is not stolen, killed all the guards so that their spirits (วิญญาณ) protect the treasure forever. A lady called Ubon was loved by Akanee’s love. Akanee cut Ubon's head also. Somchai's wife is concerned that Chorasinee goes in his car. Chorasinee’s duty is to keep the Siamese King’s treasure. She is Ubon’s resurrection. Somchai wishes to marry Chorasinee and become rich (มหาศาล). Somchai is somebody dishonest as he killed a dealer before to steal his drugs and to keep the agreed money. Somchai is found dead at Chedi Saam Ong. Strange events occur as Thip's painting, formerly showing a beautiful Chorasinee, is now showing an ugly evil spirit (นางปีศาจ). Akanee asks Chet to go to Ayutthaya as he wishes an archeologist team to dig at a specific place as he believes there is a dead body there lying since centuries. A skeleton with a spade is found. It is the Prince’s skeleton. Chorasinee invites Akanee to follow her. Thip and Chet follow up. They arrive in a mysterious place and a judgement is occurring per Chorasinee's request. She complains that despite their love, Akanee killed her and gave her a never ending task to look after the treasure. Thip, loving Akanee, agrees to take over but Akanee refuses. Finally the spirit guardian asks Chorasinee to choose somebody to replace her, i.e. Akanee or Thip. She finally accepts to continue doing such role as she cannot choose Akanee as she loves him, she cannot choose Thip as she would lose Akanee's love. Her spirit is then released. Akanee becomes a monk for the rest of his life. They should meet again in another life.
Year: 1981
Thai title: กามนิต วาสิฎฐี
English title:
Rating: 3/5
Director:
Main actor: Sorapong Chatree,Krung Srivilai,Manop Aussawathep,Lak Apichat,Settha Sirachaya
Main actress: Naowarat Yooktanun,Thitima Sangkapitak
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It is about the love between the young people, Kamanit and Vasinee. It takes place in India 2000 years ago and features many songs. Coming back to his city, Kamanit is captured by outlaws. While pretending that Kamanit is dead, a fellow man convinces Vasinee's parents to give him her hand. Kamanit, who searched for the Buddha, hoping the Buddha would heal his broken heart. One night he met an old monk and sat talking to him all night because the monk seemed to be able to answer all of his questions. The next morning he bid farewell to the monk and continued in his search for the Buddha, without realizing that the monk he had been talking to all night was the Buddha himself. Even when he was gored to death by a bull, he still didn't realize who he had been speaking to.
Year: 1997
Thai title: ท้าฟ้าลิขิต
English title: Who is Running?
Rating: 5/5
Director: Oxide Pang
Main actor: Suchao Pongwilai
Main actress:
Kwan and Siep are girlfriend and boyfriend (แฟน). She is pure traditional Buddhist believer. She often goes to Buddhist temple (วัด). He is not a believer. When coming back from Khao Luang cave (ถ้ำเขาหลวง) in Phetchaburi, she is hurt by a car. Her body is not hurt but there are serious internal problems. She has only 20% chance to survive. Siep goes back to Khao Luang cave to ask for Buddha to protect Kwan as she has never done doing bad to others. The abbot explains to him that Kwan current situation is linked to her karma (กรรม) but Siep doesn't understand (กรรมเก่ามีจริง). Kwan was a robber in her previous life and killed 5 people. Siep needs to save lives of 5 people in exchange of redemption (ชดใช้) for his girlfriend. First he prevents a policeman to bet 300 000 baht on a horse that is favorite but shall finally lose. If he doesn't prevent the policeman to play, the policeman would have lost the money and gets suicide as it is not his own money. Siep also asks the policeman to give back the money he wrongly intended to use. Then Siep saves another life. A teen under the strong pressure of his parents to succeed his exams cannot bear it and wishes to kill himself. Another teen girl wishes also to throw herself under a train at the train station because her boyfriend wants to break up. He stops her just in time. He gives to her and the boyfriend the business card of the policeman so that he can help them to solve their problems. This movie is positive as it shows there are always solutions to problems. A robbery is going to happen in a Chinese jewelry with 5 people including bombs and shootings between robbers and police. His intervention allows to catch the robbers and avoid one policeman death. In another intervention aiming to save a running kid going to be crashed by a speeding car, Siep saves the wrong kid. So Kwan dies (เวรกรรม). Siep cannot find the abbot anymore. There is no monk since many years in Khao Luang cave... When going out of the cave, he gives some coins to an old beggar lady. So he gets another chance to save the kid (ทำดีได้ดี). This time he succeeds and Kwan wakes up. This movie got 5 Thai film awards in 1997. Director Oxide Pang is coming from Thai advertising industry so he uses different methods (fast shooting to indicate the speed and then slow movement for the last poignant seconds).
Year: 2003
Thai title: องคุลิมาล
English title: Angulimala
Rating: 3/5
Director: Suthep Tannirat
Main actor: Nopachai Chaiyanam
Main actress:
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Angulimala was born into a Brahmin caste, the highest Indian caste. However he was predestined to become a cruel bandit. He was deceived by his jealous teacher who told him he must kill 1,000 people and cut their thumbs off to make a necklace if he wished to attain highest wisdom. When Angulimala met Buddha, he tried in vain to catch and kill him, then Buddha convinced him to become a monk. The director spent three years making the movie with 80 million baht and faced censorship.
Year: 2016
Thai title: ธุดงควัตร
English title: Wandering
Rating: 4/5
Director: Boonsong Nakphoo
Main actor:
Main actress:
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Thai movie Wandering / ธุดงควัตร was released in year 2016 and lasts 2h01mn. The movie director is Boonsong Nakphoo. The movie was shot with a budget of only 1M Baht so film students were part of the crew. This movie was mainly shown in independent theaters. Boonsong Nakphoo has been monk for ten years so he wanted to make a movie showing the essence of Buddhism. Ngoh loses his job as rubber tapper. He keeps drinking alcohol. His wife has dumped him, and his son is dead. He seems in a negative spiral and nothing is going on well... He finally meets a monk, who asks if alcohol will really help him to solve his problems. Later, after found being beaten by thugs, the monk proposes him to visit his temple located inside a forest. Ngoh goes there and even borrows money from the temple to pay back some debts. Visiting his dead son's tomb, he promises to him to stop drinking. He finally goes back to the Buddhist temple to help the monk. After a while and deep thinking, he asks to become a monk. It takes time for him to adjust to new monk life, so he follows what the master (อาจารย์) is doing first. He ordained to bring merit for his dead son. The master brings him in the jungle in a remote meditation center. Many old venerable masters stayed there before. The master is not speaking a lot. Back in the meditation center, he hallucinates and see his son. A young lady starts to visit the temple, but he feels uneasy. She represents the temptation. The monk decides to go on the top of the mountain as he knows it is too high and too hard for the tempters. The movie ends up while the monk is meditating on the top of the mountain. Same as Buddha, he defeats the demon Mara pushing for temptation.
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