On 24 August 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand in cooperation with the Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi organised “Thai Film Festival” at Aeon Mall Long Bien in Hanoi, Vietnam. H.E. Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam, delivered an opening remark at the event which was attended by H.E. Mrs. Pattrawan Vechasart, Ambassador attached to the Ministry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives from various Thai agencies such as Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd., Mr. Chayanop Boonprakob, film director, and Mr. Naphat Siangsomboon or Nine, popular actor who played the main character in the film “Friend Zone” as well as representatives from Vietnam Cinema Association, media and Vietnamese audience.  

The film “Friend Zone” was screened at the event. On this occasion, Mr. Chayanop, film director, and Mr. Naphat, main actor, gave exclusive interviews about the film which was well received by hundreds of fans and media from both Thailand and Vietnam. At present, the popularity of Thai films in Vietnam has been growing gradually, several fan sites have been created to exchange information and follow Thai films and actors or actresses on social media. In addition, the film “Thầu Chín Ở Xiêm” (Hochiminh in Siam), the story of the former President of Vietnam, Hồ Chí Minh, when he was residing in Thailand, was also screened at the event.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has continuously conducted activities to promote Thai films and TV series abroad in order to publicise image and maintain popularity of Thai films and actors or actresses in focused countries. These projects help to strengthen people-to-people relations and also raise awareness of the potential of the Thai film industry.