The 40-minute films were shown from 1950-69 nationwide to publicise His Majesty's work for the people.

Following a meeting of the committee overseeing the film-restoration project, PM's Office Minister Dhipavadee Meksawan told reporters that a subcommittee would be set up to inspect the condition of the films and come up with the mission's budget. Then an official request to the Royal Palace will be issued.

Royal Household deputy secretary-general Kwankaew Watcharoethai will be invited to head the subcommittee, which will also include such experts as Dome Sukvong, an archivist at the National Film Archives, Banjong Kosalyawat, a cinematography lecturer at Thammasat University, and possibly some foreign professionals.

Dhipavadee said that not all of His Majesty's 6,000 films would need repair. If only a small number needed restoration, the work should be completed relatively quickly.

The next step would be for the committee to seek His Majesty's permission to duplicate the films, in order to keep them as part of the country's heritage at the National Archive or Pathum Thani's Supreme Artist Hall.

Dome said the 6,000 short films - taken by His Majesty's Film Production Department, located at Chitralada Palace - were shown from 1950 to people upcountry who were keen on learning about His Majesty's projects and activities.

The screenings were halted in 1969 after television became more popular. People could see His Majesty's accomplishments on television, and thus the film screenings were stopped.

Dome said surveying and mending all of the films and photos would take six months.

After that, a special film-storage room will have to be built to preserve the celluloid documents for 100 years.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation