BBC News Thai

I was interviewed by Napasin Samkaewcham for an online video from BBC News Thai, published today, which examines the current state of film censorship in Thailand. (Twenty years ago, on 5th February 2004, I was interviewed on BBC3 television.)

A Day

The new issue of A Day magazine (vol. 22, no. 250) was published yesterday. The issue is entirely devoted to Apichatpong Weerasethakul, under the theme of “Apichatpong’s Universe”. It includes an interview about Thai film censorship (with photographs by Nattawat Tangthanakitroj), on pp. 216–219.

Politics and Ideology of Thai Film Censorship

I gave an online lecture at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies today, which was introduced by historian Thongchai Winichakul. The Center described the session as follows: “Matthew Hunt wrote a book on Thai film censorship that includes interviews with ten directors whose films have been cut or banned. In this lecture, he will present an overview of the history of film censorship in Thailand, examine the consequences of the rating system, and show how filmmakers are finding ways to comment on Thailand’s volatile contemporary politics.”

Thai Cinema Uncensored

Thai Cinema Uncensored goes on sale today. Published in paperback by Silkworm Books (Chiang Mai), it’s the first full-length history of Thai film censorship. It examines how Thai filmmakers approach culturally sensitive subjects—sex, religion, and politics—and how their films have been banned as a result.

The book also features interviews with ten leading Thai directors: Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Yuthlert Sippapak, Pen-ek Ratanaruang, Chulayarnnon Siriphol, Thunska Pansittivorakul, Ing K., Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, Kanittha Kwunyoo, Surasak Pongson, and Nontawat Numbenchapol. It will be released in the US and the UK on 21st March 2021, distributed by the University of Washington Press. It’s also available as an ebook, via Amazon Kindle and Google Play.

BBC Radio

I’ve been speaking to four different BBC radio stations yesterday and today, discussing the bombing at the Erawan Shrine that took place in Bangkok yesterday. Last night, I spoke to BBC Coventry and Warwickshire and another local station, BBC Hereford and Worcester. Tonight, I spoke to the regional BBC WM (West Midlands) and the national BBC 5 Live.

Encounter Thailand (July 2013)

I have interviewed actor Ananda Everingham as the cover feature for the July issue of Encounter Thailand magazine. The article, In Bed with Ananda (pp. 26–33), has also been translated into Thai.

For the June cover story, I interviewed Pla Komaratat and Kay Sitongdee, and I interviewed Apichatpong Weerasethakul for the May issue. I edited the February, March, and April issues. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.

Encounter Thailand (June 2013)

I interviewed film producers Kay Sitongdee and Pla Komaratat as the cover feature for the June issue ofEncounter Thailand magazine (pp.28–31). The article, Free as a Bird, has also been translated into Thai.

I have also written a feature on the Thai ghost Mae Nak, for the same issue. That article, The Haunted Screen (pp. 32–33), traces Mae Nak’s extensive film appearances.

I interviewed Apichatpong Weerasethakul for the May issue of the magazine, and I edited the February, March, and April issues. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.

Encounter Thailand (May 2013)

I have interviewed Apichatpong Weerasethakul for the May issue of Encounter Thailand (pp. 36–39). In the wide-ranging interview, the director discusses his entire career.

I edited the February, March, and April issues of the magazine. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.

Encounter Thailand (April 2013)

The April issue of Encounter Thailand, the magazine I edit, includes two of my articles articles about Thai elephants. The cover feature, Thailand’s Ivory Trade (pp. 2–5), analyses the illegal ivory market. Elephants in the Movies (pp. 33–34) discusses the representation of Thai elephants in cinema.

I also edited the February and March issues. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.

Encounter Thailand (March 2013)

The March issue of Encounter Thailand, the magazine I edit, includes my feature Destination Thailand (pp. 30–32). The article is a review of the recent Chinese comedy Lost in Thailand (人再囧途之泰囧).

I also edited the February issue. My previous articles were published in October, November, and December last year.

Encounter Thailand (February 2013)

Since the start of this year, I have been editor of Encounter Thailand magazine. My previous articles were published last year, in October, November, and December.

I have written two features for the February issue. Play It Again, Siam (pp. 38–40) discusses Thai movie remakes. Filming the Tsunami (pp. 42–44) reviews the recent film The Impossible.

Encounter Thailand (December 2012)

My third feature for Encounter Thailand magazine, Reeling in the Clichés, was published in December last year (pp. 42–44). The article examines how Thailand has been portrayed by foreign films set in the country.

My portrait of artist Chris Coles, and three photographs of his paintings, have also been published in the same issue (pp. 34–36). My previous Encounter Thailand features were published in October and November last year.

Encounter Thailand (November 2012)

My second feature for Encounter Thailand magazine, Spooking Thailand’s Filmgoers, is published in the November issue (pp. 32–34). The article is a preview of the upcoming 10th World Film Festival of Bangkok (เทศกาลภาพยนตร์โลกแห่งกรุงเทพฯ ครั้งที่ 10), including an interview with the festival’s founder, Kriengsak Silakong. My debut Encounter Thailand feature was published last month.

Encounter Thailand (October 2012)

My debut feature for Encounter Thailand magazine, Thai Movie Censorship, is published in the October issue (pp. 38–39). The article examines films cut and banned in Thailand, and includes an interview with director Thunska Pansittivorakul.

BBC Radio WM

I appeared on the Mornings show hosted by Joanna Malin on BBC Radio WM (West Midlands) today, along with my mother, Ann Hunt. As this weekend is Christmas, the show was about families separated over the festive season. (I have previously appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live.)

Book on the Beach

My third book review column, Book on the Beach, has been published in the April issue of Guide of Pattaya magazine (p. 8). The article is a review of Donna Leon’s novel Doctored Evidence. My previous columns were published in February and March.

BBC Radio 5 Live

I appeared as a guest on BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday, for the second time this year. (The first was on 27th February.) I also appeared on the station twice in 2003 (on 28th April and 7th December).

Book on the Beach

My second book review column, Book on the Beach, has been published in the March issue of Guide of Pattaya magazine (p. 9). The article is a review of Ian Rankin’s novel Fleshmarket Close. My first column was published in February.

Book on the Beach

My first book review column, Book on the Beach, has been published in the February issue of Guide of Pattaya magazine (p. 8). The article is a review of Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s novel The Shadow of the Wind (La sombra del viento).