BBC News Thai

I was interviewed 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

I have interviewed actor Ananda Everingham as the cover feature for the July issue of Encounter Thailand magazine (In Bed With Ananda, on pages 26-33). The article 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

I interviewed film producers Kay Sitongdee and Pla Komaratat as the cover feature for the June issue of Encounter Thailand magazine (Free As A Bird, on pages 28-31). The article has also been translated into Thai.

I've written a feature on the Thai ghost Mae Nak, for the same issue, reviewing the new film Pee Mak Phra Kanong (the most successful Thai film ever made). The article (The Haunted Screen, on pages 32-33) traces Mae Nak's extensive film appearances, including the classic Nang Nak.

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

I have interviewed director Apichatpong Weerasethakul for the May issue of Encounter Thailand magazine (on pages 36-39). He discusses his entire career: his films Tropical Malady, Blissfully Yours, Syndromes & A Century, Uncle Boonmee, and Mekong Hotel; his Primitive project and other short films; and the Free Thai Cinema Movement.

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

Encounter Thailand

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 (on pages 2-5), analyses the illegal ivory market. Elephants In The Movies (on pages 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

The March issue of Encounter Thailand, the magazine I edit, includes my feature Destination Thailand (on pages 30-32). The article is a review of the recent Chinese comedy Lost In Thailand.

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

Encounter Thailand

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've written two features for the February issue. Play It Again, Siam (on pages 38-40) discusses Thai movie remakes. Filming The Tsunami (on pages 42-44) reviews the recent film The Impossible and compares it to previous movies about the 2004 tsunami.

[Note: for reasons of space, the tsunami article omits the films Vinyan and Hi-So; the remakes article omits the Telugu film Photo, and was published before the release of Bangkok Traffic Love Story: Redux.]

Encounter Thailand

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

[Note: Banco A Bangkok OSS 117, Deep River Savages, Teddy Bear, Mammoth, Elephant White, The Detective, and Stealth were omitted for reasons of space; Bangkok Revenge will be reviewed in a later issue.]

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

Encounter Thailand

My second feature for Encounter Thailand magazine, Spooking Thailand's Filmgoers, is published in the November issue (on pages 32-34). The article is a preview of the upcoming 10th World Film Festival of Bangkok, including an interview with the Festival's founder, Kriengsak Silakong. My debut Encounter Thailand feature was published in October.

Encounter Thailand

My debut feature for Encounter Thailand magazine, Thai Movie Censorship, was published in the October issue (on pages 38-39). The article examines films cut and banned in Thailand, discussing Syndromes & A Century, Insects In The Backyard, Shakespeare Must Die, and This Area Is Under Quarantine, including 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. 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 (on page 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 (on page 8). The article is a review of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's novel The Shadow Of The Wind.