FCCT screens The King Of The White Elephant
published : 6 Apr 2021 at 04:00
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) will once again screen The King Of The White Elephant (1941) to mark its 80th anniversary, tomorrow at 7pm.
photo courtesy of Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand
Known as Phra Chao Chang Phuek in Thai, this is a ground-breaking, English-language Thai film (with Thai subtitles), made to promote a message of peace during World War II. Its themes of war, reconciliation and diplomacy still resonate today.
An adaptation of a real historical battle in the Ayutthaya period in the 16th century, the story centres on a confrontation between the peace-loving King Chakra of Ayutthaya and his arch-enemy, the tyrant King Hongsa of Burma, who demands the Thai king hand over an auspicious white elephant as his trophy.
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The Myanmar protest movement against the military coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratic government has intensified since early February. The police force launched a crackdown against the protesters on February 28, resulting in at least 18 deaths. An even deadlier day followed on March 3, with at least 38 killed by security forces. Myanmar’s United Nations envoy Kyaw Moe Tun spoke on behalf of the civilians and urged the U.N. to “use any means necessary” against the military junta. The military fired the ambassador after the speech.
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A few weeks ago, the Ministry of Public Health launched a programme titled Life Balance Smart Family to pair singles and support soon-to-wed couples in childbearing. The policy came after Thailand was found to have the lowest total fertility rate in its history, dropping below 600,000 infant births for the first time last year. This has brought the birth rate down to 1.51, which is far below the World Health Organisation s recommendation of 2.1.
Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha expressed concern because the country is becoming a full-fledged ageing society. He said the falling birth rate is a result of the growing number of single adults and couples who decide to postpone or eschew marriage completely. Meanwhile, others who tie the knot late suffer from infertility.
Who wants a child amid such instability? bangkokpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bangkokpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Below is a brief history of Thai protest and coups.
Pro-democracy demonstrators stand in front of a portrait of Thailand s King Maha Vajiralongkorn outside the Government House during an anti-government mass protest, on the 47th anniversary of the 1973 student uprising, in Bangkok, Thailand October 14, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
1932 - The Siamese Revolution ends centuries of absolute royal rule, officially establishing a constitutional monarchy and democracy in Siam, later called Thailand.
1933 - The Boworadet Rebellion, aimed at restoring an absolute monarchy, is put down by the ruling People’s Party, a military-bureaucrat alliance.
1946 - King Bhumibol Adulyadej becomes monarch aged 18. During his 70-year reign, Thailand sees 10 coups and 17 constitutions.