Thailand’s Film Investment Drive Attracts Nation Group Newspaper Publisher

Thailand’s Nation Group news media conglomerate is investing in a forthcoming feature film “Nak Ruk Mak Makk Mak,” the company said. The film is a romantic comedy inspired by Thai ghost tale “Mae Nak Phra Khanong.”

Buoyed by a string of recent successes and a government initiative to bolster national soft power and the creative industries, Thai film is attracting new investors. Thai authorities plan to set up a promotional and funding agency spanning multiple forms of culture, including film, music, food and Muay Thai boxing.

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At FilMart last week, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi hosted a lavish Thai Night promotional event. And the country’s Department of International Trade and Promotion, under the Ministry of Commerce, signed a memorandum of understanding with Hong Kong’s Trade Development Council.

“Nak Ruk Mak Makk Mak,” brings together four companies: Nation Group (Thailand) as investor, Black Dragon Entertainment as promoter and distributor and Transformation Film and Bangfire Film Entertainment.

The film will be directed by comedian, Nong Chachacha, who makes his directorial debut.

At a launch ceremony held at a temple on Wednesday it was announced that the film will star Mum Jokmok, Krist-Perawat Sangpotirat, Yada Narilya Gulmongkolpech, Nui Chernyim and Rusameekae Fahkueanlonalong.

“‘Mae Nak Phra Khanong’ is a legendary Thai ghost story that tells the story of Nak, a beautiful young woman who lived on the banks of the Phra Khanong canal, and died while she was pregnant and carrying the baby of Mak, her husband who had to serve the country in war as a soldier. When he returns home he finds his wife had become a ghost who haunted people in the Phra Khanong area,” The Nation explains. The story has been told countless times in films from Thailand.

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The company said that the new film will creatively retell the story of Nak, who died during the reign of King Rama III (1824-51). It will transport her to the present day where she can fall in love with a reincarnated version of her husband, without using her supernatural powers.

“Nation Group has been planning to invest in film production for quite a while. This movie is the second one in which we are investing. The first one will be released in theatres in May,” said Shine Bunnag, chairman of the executive board and CEO of Nation Group (Thailand).

The company, which operates three newspapers and two digital TV channels, was previously a sponsor of the World Film Festival in Bangkok.

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