When I first heard that Bt200 million would be spent on the film industry as part of the Thai Khemkhaeng stimulus package, I was absolutely delighted that this medium was finally being given some attention.
However, my excitement quickly faded when I looked at the list of beneficiaries. Half of the budget was going to be spent on one project - one that had already been given Bt330 million from the Commerce Ministry's Department of Intellectual Property. In other words, this single project had been allocated Bt430 million of the taxpayers' money.
The film in question is the "Legend of King Naresuan" (Part 3 and 4) by veteran film-maker Chatrichalerm Yukol.
The authorities claim that these films were being made to showcase Thailand's history, culture and the legend of a great king. However, they have refused to acknowledge that Bt430 million could have been used to support the entire industry, with students and young film-makers using the funds to make hundreds of small-budget films. It is not fair that this opportunity be given to a man - who has already made a name for himself - to make a film about a person who lived hundreds of years ago.
Apparently the authorities expect returns from this investment, and are planning to spend it on up-and-coming film-makers. However, the question that arises now is when and how much of this money will be returned?
Don't misunderstand me. I respect and admire our great warrior king, but what about people who are living now? What happens to the students and young film-makers floundering in deep waters just to be given a chance?
Most independent film-makers have very little money to start with, and when they complete their film they have to work really hard to find a distributor willing to put their work on the big screen. After all, everybody wants to screen films that can guarantee them big box-office returns.
Of course, some film-makers have the chance to take their work to international film festivals, and then some win awards and boost the Kingdom's reputation. Yet, nobody here cares, because by the time the film gets to the local screens, it has already been chopped, changed and raped by the Censor Board.
Independent film-makers have little or no chance to make it big in Thailand. After all, about 300 of them were rejected outright when they applied for the Thai Khemkhaeng package.
We as taxpayers, have the right to know why and who decided not to fund the small fry in the industry?
Surely the authorities realise that with such a lack of vision and selfish decisions, Thailand will never become a regional hub of art and culture.
Like well-known independent film director Apichatpong Weerasetakul very rightly said: "Our country's most important assets are not the antiques and historical sites, but the 'creativity' we have. This creativity is like sunshine - it gives us life and can be used to create things forever."
Sadly, if the authorities remain stuck in old patterns of self-interest, it won't take long before this sunshine of creativity fades and we are left in the dark.
Of course, this is just the opinion of people who love movies and have nothing to gain or lose from the Thai Khemkhaeng scheme.
Panu Boonpiputtanapong is a graphic designer and freelance writer for magazines such as Freeform, FILMAX, Krungthep Turakij and art4d. He is currently scouting for opportunities as editor.
What the film-maker says: Director Chatrichalerm Yukol explains the budget and its conditions on the website
topic/A9073235/ under the name Cinephile.
"It's like the government owns this movie. They will have the right for every kind of product, including DVDs, souvenirs etc and will be able to get returns on their investment very soon. "I don't know how they decided which movie they should fund, because I'm not on the committee. However, I think they chose my movie because they studied my past successes with films such as 'Legend of King Naresuan' [Parts 1 and 2] as well as 'Suriyothai'. They obviously believe that I can produce a hit, which would ensure that they get returns from their investment. That's why they decided to give me the funds. "They have also funded outstanding small and independent film-makers such as Pen-eak Rattanaruang and Apichatpong Weerasetakul. "I don't think you should look upon me as a bully, because I have spent 30 years fighting with the government - not for myself but for the industry and the young people. I know I have to pay back what I've got, even though I still have to bargain over some conditions. I am definitely not selling my house to pay back the government."
