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Published on December 22, 2007

After 77 years, the film industry is getting new governing legislation, following the passage on Thursday of a law replacing the Film Act of 1930.

For some filmmakers, the year ends on a sour note, with passage of the controversial statute.

It contains a rating system replacing censorship. Films will be coded P for "promotion" of educational films that all Thais are encouraged to see, G for general audiences, Under 13, Under 15, Under 18 and Under 20.

Moviegoers aged younger than the rating will not be permitted entry to screenings.

The new law still allows a ratings board to ban films in their entirety, if it deems them against "good morals, national pride or state security".

The National Film Board will include a representative from the police and the Information and Communications Ministry. They were not previously involved.

"We haven't changed anything. The approved version is the same as that tabled for deliberation," National Legislative Assembly member Wallop Tangkananurak said.

He added passage of the law was "smooth".

"It is impossible a law can please everyone. The draft was treated well by the assembly," he said.

National Film Association of Thailand secretary Surasak Sunpitakseree, who has followed the passage of the law for years, said rating rules should not be in a statute.

They should be in a ministerial regulation.

"It would be more flexible if they didn't specify ratings in an Act.

"We could discuss them later in a supplementary law. Anyway, it's the best version we can get," he said.

Filmmakers said they were in the dark about details of the new legislation, and were unsure if drafts they had seen were changed.

"What we don't know yet is how much it has changed from the last version we saw. But, on the bright side, it might be better than the previous one.

"However, from now on everyone in the film industry will have to cooperate with the government in drafting supplementary laws," said Yongyooth Thongkongtoon, the new president of the Thai Film Directors Association.

He added the new legislation should encourage the merger of the Federation of National Film Associations of Thailand and the Free Thai Cinema Movement, ledby avant-garde director Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

In the past, these groups have acted separately. Merging them will provide strength in negotiations, particularly over upcoming supplementary laws, Yongyooth said.

 The Nation