Thai Film Archive's eclectic campus blends film history, preservation, and public outreach near Bangkok
Founded in 1997 close to Bangkok, the Thai Film Archive merges film preservation with community involvement through various exhibitions. The grounds feature outdoor attractions such as a steam locomotive, a bronze statue of Jean Gabin, and replicas of historical film studios. Inside, visitors can explore the history of Thai cinema, highlighting Bangkok's inaugural film studio, Sri Krung, along with props from Rattana Pestonji's 1957 movie Rong Raem Narok. A six-story cinematheque houses theaters and a collection from Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Primitive (2009). The archive gained public organization status in 2009, following film scholar Dome Sukvong's discovery of nitrate negatives in 1981. Current director Chalida Uabumrungjit leads projects like the Movie Rescue Unit and a Netflix partnership to remaster 19 Thai films.
Key facts
- The Thai Film Archive was founded in 1997 and is located about 25km from Bangkok's city center.
- Its campus includes outdoor installations like a steam locomotive with a Jean Gabin statue and a replica of Thomas Edison's Black Maria studio.
- A six-story cinematheque houses theaters and a permanent collection from Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Primitive (2009).
- Film scholar Dome Sukvong discovered 35mm nitrate negatives in 1981, leading to the archive's establishment.
- The archive became a public organization in 2009 after years under the government's Fine Arts Department.
- Current director Chalida Uabumrungjit oversees acquisitions through the Movie Rescue Unit, collecting any film related to Thailand.
- Digital efforts include a Google Arts & Culture page, a YouTube channel, and a 2019 Netflix collaboration remastering 19 Thai films.
- Notable holdings include It's All Because of a Katoey (1954), the oldest Thai film with an LGBT character.
Entities
Artists
- Jean Gabin
- Eadweard Muybridge
- Charlie Chaplin
- Rattana Pestonji
- Apichatpong Weerasethakul
- Dome Sukvong
- Chalida Uabumrungjit
- Mitr Chaibancha
- Petchara Chaowarat
- Payut Ngaokrachang
- King Rama V
- King Chulalongkorn
- Purachatra Jayakara, Prince of Kamphaengphet
Institutions
- Thai Film Archive
- State Railway of Thailand
- Swedish Film Institute
- International Federation of Film Archives
- Royal Thai Mint
- Fine Arts Department
- Google Arts & Culture
- Netflix
- BFI Player
- Library of Congress
- United States Information Service
Locations
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Stockholm
- Sweden
- Paris
- France
- New York
- USA