To celebrate the auspicious occasion of the 60 Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Sri Lanka, the Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo launched the first Thai Film Festival in Sri Lanka at the National Film Corporation in Colombo on 20 – 22 March 2015. The purpose of this Thai Film Festival is to promote Thailand and to reveal a fascinating facet of Thai culture and way of life through Thai films.

 

            The inauguration ceremony of the Thai Film Festival took place on Friday 20th March 2015. Approximately 150 guests attending the ceremony were Heads of diplomatic mission to Sri Lanka, high ranking officials such as the Ambassadors of the Russian Federation, Egypt, Indonesia, Republic of Korea and spouses, Secretary of the Ministry of Defense and his wife, Secretary of Ministry of Mass-Media and Parliamentary Affairs, Chairman of National Film Corporation, Chairman of Sri Lanka – Thailand Society, Chairman of Sri Lanka – Thailand Chamber of Commerce, well – known Sri Lankan businessmen, press and media as well as friends of Thailand. The ceremony began with the welcome address by H.E. Mr. Nopporn Adchariyavanich, Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka. H.E. Mr. Nopporn also took this opportunity to update about political situation in Thailand. In this regard, H.E. Mr. Nopporn reassured the public that  Thailand is now on the right track. The National Council for Peace and Order and the Royal Thai Government are working side by side to implement the 3-step roadmap to bring back genuine democracy to Thailand. The general elections would take place by early next year. H.E. Mr. Nopporn also invited the Heads of diplomatic mission and the Sri Lankan people to travel to Thailand and reiterated that the highlight of Thailand’s tourism promotion this year is “2015 Discover Thainess”. The first show of Thai film was “Pee Mak”.

 

            The festival was open for the public viewing on 21 – 22 March 2015. 5 films were showed during the festival as follows: 

                (1) Best of Time 

                (2) Shutter 

                (3) Hello Stranger 

                (4) ATM and 

                (5) Pee mak

which were well received by the audience.