The Thai Film Foundation and Thai Film Directors' Association yesterday launched an online petition demanding that the National Legislative Assembly state in the new constitution that movies are a form of mass media.

"We are petitioning not only for a just decision for 'Sang Sattawat' but also for a long-needed modernisation of legislation concerning movie censorship," the petition read.

"We demand that the authority revise legislation to stop the practice of cutting and banning films, and instead implement a rating system of the kind used in free countries. This is the only way that Thai cinema and all cinema shown in Thailand can be freed from the shackles of outdated legal vandalism."

The move came after the Censorship Board had informed Apichatpong that it would permit the release of his film on condition that four cuts were made.

The scenes involve the portrayal of monks and doctors in inappropriate ways, according to censors. Two feature a monk playing a guitar and a monk playing a game. The Culture Ministry objected to the scenes.

"We didn't ban the film, but if they want to release it, they have to cut these scenes," said Asst Professor Chawana Phawakanan, who represents the Federation of National Film Association of Thailand on the board.

But Apichatpong decided to cancel commercial release of the film in Thailand and insisted the cuts would not be made.

The director, who is now in the United States, said in a statement circulating via e-mail: "I, a filmmaker, treat my works as my own sons or my daughters. When I conceived them, they have their own lives to live.

"I don't mind if people are fond of them or despise them, as long as I created them with my best intentions and efforts. If these offspring of mine cannot live in their own country for whatever reasons, let them be free.

"Since there are other places that warmly welcome them as who they are, there is no reason to mutilate them from the fear of the system, or from greed. Otherwise there is no reason for one to continue making art."

Apichatpong's style has a loose plot and portrays people in everyday life. The award-winning director wanted to devote the film to his parents, who are both doctors.

The film featured at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival last year. Recently it won the Best Asian Film award at France's Deauville Asian Film Festival.

 "The board members judge the film with their priority to protect themselves - what happens after that, they are not interested in," said film producer Pantham Thongsung.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representative of the Medical Council of Thailand wants to ban two other scenes in the film. One features a doctor kissing his girlfriend in a hospital with a close-up scene that suggests sexual feeling. The other shows glasses filled with whisky on a table in a doctors' common room.

 "The best solution is to put a notice at the beginning of the film to warn that the film has improper scenes that do not exist in real life. Then the problematic scenes would not be cut at all," said Chawana.

However, Chawana said the director dismissed that idea following the censorship of the monk scenes last week.

The censors are under the supervision of the Royal Thai Police. The board comprises representatives from different government sectors, depending on a film's content. Each related office sends staff to consider a film under the Film Act, which has been used since 1930.

The rotation of board members has been criticised for preventing a uniform standard for censorship.

A new Film Act that would update the rating system has been stuck in the system for decades because of political changes.

Among people signing the online petition are Julie Pearce of the British Film Institute, Thomas Bertacche Udine of the Far East Film Festival in Italy and Chinese film-maker Zhang Xian Min.

Parinyaporn Pajee

The Nation