Reporter in Exile

¡Que horrible! - Thailand's enduring passion for grisly horror

Want to watch a Thai movie? You basically have three choices. The Crouching Thai-ger variety of epic-lite, action-fest, well-hyphenated period-pieces. True derivatives of the Chinese form, they also tend to be fringed with a nationalist politic. Or sup from the Thai-larious trough of  jejune physical comedies.  You can bank on funny fat guys and wacky transvestites; the vapidity of this stuff makes Sandler look like Carlin. (At right: Given his "fallen pants" gag, it is no wonder Udom is the most popular Thai comedian.)

Should neither choice coax the crumpled baht from where it's securely strapped to your sweaty belly, all that remains are the sanguinary delights of Thai splattercore. More talented wordsmiths would simply say "bloody," but such is my vanity. Horror is huge here. Though I prefer the artfulness of the older posters to the new.

Moderation and serenity are core to the Thai social brand, but despite this -- or perhaps because of it -- there is a huge appetite for the grisly and gruesome.

Unexpectedly, some good news for Thailand

Thai film takes out top prize at Cannes:

Thai film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives has won the coveted Palme d'Or for best picture at the Cannes film festival. The mystical exploration of reincarnation as a well-to-do farmer confronts his imminent death was directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. "I would like to thank all the spirits and all the ghosts in Thailand who made it possible for me to be here," he said after receiving the award, decided by the jury headed by US director Tim Burton.

Update: And apparently none other than Thaksin Shinawatra was there! (h/t BP)