Syeda Amtul

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – A Thai documentary and a feature film were screened at the Indonesian Consul General’s residence in Jeddah on Monday night, as part of the ongoing 8th Asian Film Festival organized by the Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC).



Thai Consul General Thanis Na Songkhla welcomed the guests and thanked the Consul General of Indonesia for his hospitality in providing the venue and the Consul General of Japan who is the coordinator of the Asian Consuls General Club for this year.



He also gave a brief overview of the documentary and the Thai feature film. "The documentary film ‘Experience Thailand once in a lifetime’ presents a glimpse of a country whose many facets combine to create a whole that is uniquely beautiful, welcoming and rich in opportunities.



The feature film, meanwhile, is a comedy-drama which follows the intertwining stories of two lonely teachers, a young woman and a young man, who are posted to the same rural school a year apart," said Na Songkhla.



Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Consul General Na Songkhla said: “We would like to invite the Saudi and expatriate community to visit Thailand.



At the Thai Consulate-General in Jeddah, we promote people-to-people relations and take care of the Thai people who come to  Saudi Arabia to perform Haj and Umrah. More than 10,000 people came to perform Haj last year. "



He added: “If people want to know about the opportunity for investment  and tourism in Thailand, we are here and our consulate's commercial section is always ready to help them."



According to him Thailand has many things which attract people from all over the world, such as trade exhibitions, special festivals and world famous Thai cuisine. More than 24 million people visited Thailand last year, with 6.6 million coming from other ASEAN countries and 4.6 million from China.



“Today’s event is a cultural initiative with a documentary, which highlights Thailand’s tourism sector,”  the consul general said.



The Thai feature film with English subtitles depicted the struggles and difficulties as well as the rewards of teaching in a remote area of Thailand. The two teachers find the loneliness of the isolated location hard to bear but find their reward in the appreciation of the young children.



A large number of diplomats, prominent Saudis, media personnel, and members of the Thai community graced the screening.



Thai food was served to the guests who were welcomed by young girls in traditional costumes.