An actor - yeah, that's it, an actor

Sonthaya Khunpluem certainly knows his way around Thai cinema, which is always a plus for a culture minister. He waxed ebullient about growing up with Thai movies at a press conference this week on registering more “national heritage films”. People are invited to nominate classics, of which a committee of experts will select 25 “winners” for 2013.
Sonthaya’s family served as film distributors for East Thailand. Yes, that would be Somchai Khunplome, his father – better known as Kamnan Poh, the now-jailed “godfather” of Chon Buri. For some reason it’s easy to forget that Somchai was an actor before he became politically, uh, “influential”.
The young Kamnan Poh was so good-looking (and so influential) that they made a movie about him in 1980, “Nua Nakleng”, in which he played himself. Sombat Methanee co-starred. Somchai’s other movie credit was “Man Mue Sua” with Sorapong Chatree, and he did a beer commercial too.
So when Sonthaya was asked at the press conference whether he had any films to nominate for the heritage committee, people who knew about his father’s acting career held their breath.
“I have two that might fit the qualifications,” he said. Heartbeats rose – then quickly eased again when the minister suggested “Thong” (“STAB”) by Chalong Pakdeevijit, “which I was crazy about when I was young”, and “Fan Chan” (“My Girl”), “because everyone can relate to it”.
Interesting choices, but there would have been nothing wrong if he had recommended his dad’s flicks. Anyone can to submit any film they like.
A committee of academics and filmmakers will surf the nominees and select 25 movies that they feel have had an impact on people and society and have artistic merit. Even home-made videos might qualify, as well as documentaries – and movies that the censors banned (although how they’d be screened for evaluation isn’t clear).
Got a home movie that ought to be honoured as a crucial piece of the nation’s cultural heritage? Don’t be shy – submit it! The details are at www.Fapot.org.