BANGKOK — Thai authorities are in the early stages of producing a film that will lure tourists to Thailand, following the recommendation of junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
"We are going to produce a film,” Gen. Prayuth told told the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) in a speech yesterday. “The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security will make a film like Lost in Bangkok.”
Gen. Prayuth appeared to be referencing Lost in Thailand, a Chinese comedy that was filmed in northern Thailand and reportedly attracted a significant number of Chinese tourists to the region.
"The film will lead tourists to visit Thailand," Gen. Prayuth said. "They will fall in love and have a crush on each other during their travel [in Thailand]."
He added, "Right now we already have the main actor and the main actress. We are still looking for the father of the main actor, and the uncle. Please send your applications to the Ministry of SDHS."
Observers were initially uncertain whether Gen. Prayuth was making a friendly joke; the general frequently veers off official transcripts during his speeches.
Gen. Prayuth, who also serves as the head of the junta's National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), added that he wants Thai people to watch less soap operas and read more in order to increase their knowledge and "vision."
Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, confirmed yesterday that officials have already started a discussion about Gen. Prayuth's film proposal.
The movie will likely be co-produced by the SDHS and Ministry of Culture, Pol.Gen. Adul said. He gave no other information, but mentioned that the working title of the film is "Lost in Bangkok."
Last month, Gen. Prayuth urged the Ministry of Culture to make a film that will "inspire" foreign tourists to visit Thailand.
He said hoped the the movie would reinvigorate the Kingdom's tourism industry, which was devastated by six months of deadly political protests prior to the military takeover on 22 May.
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