PMU-B Field Visit to Monitor the “Human Capital Development for Thailand’s Film Industry Toward the Global Stage” Project – Year 1

PMU-B Conducts Field Visit to Monitor the “Human Capital Development for Thailand’s Film Industry Toward the Global Stage – Year 1” Project

On July 14, 2023, from 15:10 to 17:10 hrs, the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), led by Professor Dr. Sompong Klainongsuang, PMU-B Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rina Patramanon, Chair of the PMU-B Frontier Research Cluster Coordination Committee, and Ms. Jaturaporn Chokphukhaochiew, Chair of the SHA and AI Cluster Coordination Committee, along with PMU-B analysts, conducted a field visit to monitor the project’s progress at the Board Room, Northeastern Science Park, Khon Kaen University.

The team was welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niyom Wongpongkham, Vice President for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy at Khon Kaen University; Mr. Prachya Pinkaew, renowned film director; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Preecha Sakorn, lecturer from the Faculty of Informatics, Mahasarakham University and one of the project’s researchers.

The visit included a presentation on the project’s progress and a discussion on leveraging film and media to develop high-potential human capital for the creative and film industries. The initiative, titled “Developing Future Film Talents”, aims to empower youth through cultural storytelling rooted in Phu Thai village wisdom and heritage.

The project involves collaboration among 29 universities, both domestic and international, engaging in the transmission of cultural knowledge through creative media. The session also showcased selected student participants from the short film bootcamp, exemplifying the project's impact on youth skill development in the creative sector.

The project highlighted a short film focusing on the Isan cultural belief surrounding wooden Buddha statues, particularly the taboo of “not bringing wooden Buddha images into the house”. According to local traditions, such statues must be left in natural settings such as mountains or forests. This belief, deeply rooted in the rural communities of Northeastern Thailand, reflects authentic cultural and religious narratives, which the film seeks to convey through diverse perspectives.

This initiative is part of Thailand’s effort to develop soft power through film, utilizing regional stories to foster cultural appreciation and international creative engagement.

Additionally, under the FY2024 project, plans are underway to establish “Panna Village”, a cultural innovation hub, beginning with a feasibility study in Tha Phra village, Khon Kaen. The initiative aims to cultivate Khon Kaen’s local identity by integrating elements such as:

• Muay Thai stunt shows

• The founding of a stunt school

• International Muay Thai performances

The vision stems from the observation that many Thai men possess the physical talent required for becoming professional stunt performers. The project aspires to elevate Thai capabilities to the global stage.

The initiative also references the annual Thai Martial Arts Dance Competition (Naat Muay Thai), supported by Isuzu. Although such events are held regularly, systematic talent development and career pathways in this field are still lacking. The project envisions a training center or school that could one day attract international participation.

PMU-B executives and analysts provided valuable suggestions to help guide the project’s future direction, especially in aligning cultural identity with skills development, creative industries, and global engagement.