Thailand's
new Film Act will go into effect on June 4. And though nothing ever goes
as planned when it comes to the Culture Ministry, moviegoers should
brace for the historic introduction of the rating system, which is
likely to be accompanied by confusion and clamour.
The Film Act was actually passed last December, but the Ministry
Regulations, the practical rules that will implement various provisions
of the law, are being written by the scribes at the ministry.
When the new law is applied in June, each movie, Thai and foreign, will
be assigned one of six ratings:
- G (fit for all age groups)
- 13-plus
- 15-plus
- 18-plus
- 20-plus
- ''P'' an unusual label designed for films that deserve to be
promoted to the society because of its content. For instance, a
historical Thai movie that everyone including young children should be
encouraged to see it because of its historical and patriotic values.
What's not clear right now is how the ratings and filtering will be
enforced. As it is understood, theatre staff at the box office will
check the IDs of customers before letting them buy tickets. But since
nobody has seen the Ministry Regulations, it's not certain whether the
age classifications are simply a guideline for parents and multiplexes,
or are actual legal restrictions with punishment clauses.
It's rumoured that the ID check will be carried out only with the 18-
and 20-plus movies. But if, say, a 19-year-old wants to see Rambo 4 with
his father, will he be allowed to go in? And if not, why? Because when
he goes to an election booth, a process more detrimental to his mental
health, he doesn't have to bring his dad in there with him to tell him
which box to tick or which politician is a thief.
I feel itchy about the 20-plus rating, itchier and sadder still that the
new Film Act still has the cutting and banning provisions. Hardly any
country in the world restricts access to cinema for its 20-year-old
people, except, well, Singapore. What's very funny in the Thai law is
that the 20-plus rating will not be applied to those who have reached
their legal age of consent by marriage. So if you're a 17-year-old girl
who's already married, you can breeze into the theatre to see a 20-plus
film, supposedly because since you've already had sex, nothing else can
shock you. Just remember to carry your wedding certificate as proof.
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