Under the unpredictable Bangkok sky in the late afternoon of last Saturday, I stopped by Vachirabenjatas Park (Rot Fai Park) in Chatuchak district. Even though I haven't visited here for many years, while strolling around, I found this massive park still looks as beautiful as I remember. And despite the hazy skies and uncertainty of rain at any given time, I thought to myself that at least it's still better than being bored sitting on a couch watching a movie at home.
I'm here to check out Krungthep Klang Plaeng, an outdoor cinema fair that is screening more than 25 Thai and international films selected by the Thai Film Archive throughout July. The fair is part of a campaign from the newly-elected Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who is moving forward with his promise to improve the quality of life in Bangkok.
The project is also a collaboration between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and aims to cultivate film appreciation among the masses.
Rot Fai Park is one of the 10 selected public spaces around Bangkok slated for large outdoor screenings. Others are Lan Khon Muang Town Square, True Digital Park, Klongtoey Youth Center, Benchakitti Park, Bangkhae Phirom Park and Market, Block I at Siam Square, Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Park, Kru Grape Garden and Srinakharinwirot University.
Despite wanting to see my childhood favourite comedy drama Boonchu Poo Narak (1988) that was screening on the same day at Klongtoey Youth Center, I chose Rot Fai Park instead because it is a big area where I can stay socially distanced amid relaxed Covid-19 protocols. Also it would be nice to see a classic Thai movie that I have never seen before, like Dark Heaven, a musical from 1958 that was set to screen that night at 8pm.
By the time I arrived there were already a few hundred people milling about, trying to find a perfect spot for the screening. The celebrated pop group Pause performed a short live set. Despite a poor sound system, the band tried their best to elevate the crowd's mood by playing some of their best-known tunes.
There were many street food vendors nearby, and some walked around the fair selling everything from bug spray to outdoor chairs, seat mats and even a massage service, stimulating the economy for shops in the area. A street performer dressed as a clown offered custom-made balloons to children. As a lifelong Bangkok resident, I haven't had many chances to experience an outdoor film screening, and visiting Krungthep Klang Plaeng fair was quite an eye opener. I saw all kinds of people of different ages enjoying the traditional atmosphere whether they are lovers, friends, family, middle or working class, rich or poor.
After showing a short film of old Bangkok footage, as well as some movie trailers, Dark Heaven was finally screened. It's a comedy drama and musical directed by R.D. Pestonji, telling the story of a poor orphan girl who is on the run after stealing some food that a wealthy man had purchased to feed his dogs. A singing garbage collector Choo (Suthep Wongkamhaeng) rescues her from the mean wealthy man and gives her shelter. They fall in love but are torn apart when Choo is drafted into the army and sent off to war.
I was really impressed with the visuals and music of this classic. It sat well with the atmosphere of the outdoor screening. I'd say that the Bangkok administration team in the Chadchart era made the right move by successfully pushing this project forward, because to make the city better is to pay attention to people. Organising various activities like this will make the city more interesting.
Overall, I enjoyed the fair thoroughly and will definitely check the rest of the programmes this month. It's a great way to introduce the younger generation to a classic movies, while adults should surely enjoy their time walking down memory lane. However, future screenings for Krungthep Klang Plaeng should be planned in a month outside the rainy season.
