Vision and Memory: A Film History of the Royal Factories of Rural Thailand

Abstract

King Rama IX initially established four Royal Factories in 1972 to enhance the quality of life of rural marginalized minorities, including Hmong, Chinese, and Yao, in the Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sakon Nakorn and Burirum provinces of Thailand. The purpose of this project is to juxtapose the vision of King Rama IX with the memories and feelings of people involved in the Royal factories to create a history in film. The filmmaker brings his personal experience as a key facilitator (barefoot engineer) in the development of these factories. Ethnographic research methodology helped insure that the data from the interviews, including narratives from nearby villagers, current and retired employees, and board members of the Royal factories, controlled the final script and storyboard of the film. A collection of archival photos and current films, especially from the time of mourning, help create a historical context for the lessons learned from the King�s initial vision of sustainable development in the context of poverty, opium plantation and border security issues to subsequent factory development. These elements are integrated into a structure of three important components: the development of the Royal Factories over four decades, the current situation of villagers and the factories, and the future vision of collaboration between communities and factories. The creative components of the final product, including editing juxtaposition, visual symbols, and ethnic music and compositions of the King, help enhance the film�s purpose to portray the King�s vision and perseverance and the memories and feelings of the people.

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Author Information
Sumate Tanchareon, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand
Sirikoy Chutataweesawas, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand
Nuttanon Homvichian, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

• Category: ACAH2017, Oral Presentation
• Tag: Media Arts Practices

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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