Bangkok comes back to life with a variety of entertaining activities. After suffering through challenging times, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, private businesses, and prominent figures from many fields are working together to uplift people's morale and promote Thailand through soft power.
As part of the 12 Months, 12 Festivals initiative, many public spaces in the city and surrounding suburbs have been transformed into outdoor theatres for the Krungthep Klang Plaeng festival, which concludes this weekend. It's a collective effort between the administration, Film Archive Thailand, Thai Film Director Association and Outdoor Cinema Association to resurrect the classic outdoor cinema and support the Thai film industry.
"The project's goal is to provide income for neighbourhood vendors, so each day we'll select two spots from among Bangkok's well-known landmarks and open spaces both in the city's core and its outer suburbs. This is a parallel strategy for promoting various locations and giving inspiration for movie locations for the film business," said Minrayaporn Somnongkham, secretary of Thai Film Director Association.
"This seems like an experiment to learn about urban viewers and we plan to organise it in the winter next year. Similar to the Busan International Film Festival, we hope to grow Krungthep Klang Plaeng into an international film festival."
The festival's opening film was screened at Lan Khon Muang, and wandering around reminded me of the temple fair I used to attend as a child. Couples and families would spread out mats on the ground to watch a popular film while a group of local vendors set up stalls nearby to sell a variety of street food and desserts like popcorn, roti sai mai and grilled dried squid.
As time passed, that scene slowly faded away. However, I spent a lot of my childhood at home watching television and movies on video since I could relax on a bed or comfortable sofa without worrying about the weather or crowded places.
An outdoor theatre first appeared in history during the unveiling of the King Rama V Equestrian Monument to show films about royal duties, notable events and official activities. Following World War I, it evolved into a well-liked pastime that pharmaceutical firms utilised to attract customers as well as one that people employed in religious rites like ordination, funeral or completing their vows to god.
Despite several challenges brought on by modern technology, the outdoor film industry is nonetheless extremely profitable in upcountry districts. Some people still enjoy the lively and intimate setting of seeing a movie outside with friends and sharing laughs, even if the majority of people can now easily access the internet and enjoy movie streaming applications on their smartphones.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on our way of life and business, placing Thailand under lockdown and forcing the closure of all entertainment venues for several months. This seems to be the biggest challenge for an outdoor movie theatre struggling to survive.
"Film screening is a popular amusement on any occasion since it is accessible to audiences and simple to grasp. We use fewer personnel than other performances; five or six staff members can satisfy a person. The advent of electricity and television in households was one of several difficulties we encountered. But it didn't take long for us to realise that people would only tune in to a popular show at that time. The indoor theatre and movie streaming applications target a different sort of audiences," said Nimit Sattayakul, a president of the Outdoor Cinema Association, which now has more than 500 members.
"In the past, viewers could observe on-site dubbing while watching a movie. This was the charm of an outdoor movie theatre. To keep with modern living, some of us set up a dance floor with DJs before showing a film to draw viewers. Five years ago, I developed a collection of digital cinema projectors to help outdoor theatres to save money. Since we've learned to adapt, an outdoor cinema never dies."
Based in Kanchanaburi, Nimit is the second generation and he's learned about the personalities of moviegoers and the kinds of movies they enjoy. The most crucial step is choosing a movie that fits the surroundings and way of life.
"Running an outdoor movie theatre includes many different elements, it seems like we're cooking. Within five minutes of the start of a showing, we can tell whether or not viewers are enjoying the movie. They will promptly roll a mat back home if they don't like it," Nimit added.
"I travelled to the Cannes Film Festival and a film event in Hong Kong to purchase rare films that are not accessible on a cinema programme in Thailand. I want to provide viewers more options."
In Bangkok, experienced musician Vinai Khemvijit has operated a 4DX outdoor cinema for more than a decade. It combines powerful sound systems, moving visuals, and physical effects so that viewers may wear 3D glasses and imagine they are in the film.
"I try to develop fresh attractions that appeal to people of all ages. Action movies like Avatar and The Avengers are popular among Bangkok residents, and the 4DX outdoor theatre delivers a fresh, enjoyable experience. I design a theme to go with a certain setting or event. For instance, I created a short video to show the love story of the couple at a wedding instead."
The Krungthep Klang Plaeng festival becomes a beacon of hope, encouraging urbanites and young people to see outdoor movies similar to drive-through theatres in the United States. Additionally, it is a tactic for using soft power to promote Thai culture and tourism.
Pattarawadee Saengmanee is a feature writer for the Life section of the Bangkok Post.