Bangkok Festival Survives Scandal

The Bangkok International Film Festival, which was launched in 2003 by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, had been plagued with organisational problems from the outset, the last of which was the indictment by American courts of previous organiser Gerald Green for paying bribes to Juthamas Siriwan, the former governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in return for the festival management contract.

Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, president of the directors' guild, announced that the festival would be co-hosted by the FNFAT and the Thai Film Directors’ Association, and that the Tourism Authority of Thailand would be its main sponsor, contributing an estimated $750,000 (down from 2007’s $1 million).   Jaruek Kanjaruek, the president of FNFAT was announced as festival president, with Tongkongtoon serving as artistic director. [ADD]

2008

Thailand: 2008