(TAT Staff with the two stars of Bad Genius, Chanon Santinatornkul and Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, who are in the back)
When the Thailand Insider team found out that the Thai film, “Bad Genius,” was selected to premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival, we were very proud and honored. This meant that New Yorkers would be given the chance to see great creative work from Thailand.
The film’s premise surrounds cheating on college, standardize testing, and the pressure faced from the hi-so society as well as its parallel to the characters who are from lower income families.
At first glance, the film’s description was similar to MTV’s “Perfect Score,” however, Thai filmmaker, director, and the creator of Bad Genius, Nattawut Poonpiriya, takes a more dramatic approach to the film. The film is inspired by a real life situation involving a ring of teenage exam scammers. The dramatization in the film was needed to bring attention to the characters and to fully flesh out their growth in the film, but the base of the film remains non-fictional. Forget the language barrier – the actors’ performances are beautifully executed on screen, and the chemistry is noticeable between the actors. The most enticing part is, they only display enough for audiences to want more.
Following the premiere, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) New York was one of the sponsors of the event and hosted the “Hanuman the Monkey God & Supanmudcha” Thai dance group to signal the beginning of the after party. There were also giveaways (Amazing Thailand bags) for some of the lucky winners/audiences.
Since the two stars, Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying and Chanon Santinatornkul, are Bangkok natives, we wanted to get their thoughts on where visitors should go for fun. What better way to learn about Thailand than from two movie stars:
Thailand Insider: What do you two like to do for fun on your down time in Bangkok?
- Chanon: I love fitness and to workout. It gives me something to do and I have fun while getting fit.
- Chutimon: Similar. Love fitness and to shop in Bangkok.
Thailand Insider: What is your favorite area of Bangkok, and why?
- Chanon: I love Siam because there are so many things to do there. Even locals like it because they have shopping, food, and it’s just fun to be there.
- Chutimon: Chatuchack Weekend Market is so fun. It’s a weekend market that’ just so cool.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Once only popular among wholesalers and traders, Chatuchak Weekend Market has reached a landmark status as a must-visit place for tourists. Its sheer size and diverse collections of merchandise will bring any seasoned shoppers to their knees – this is where you can literally shop ‘till you drop’.
Thailand Insider: What is something really fun you’d suggest to friends and family who have never been to Thailand?
- Chanon: Siam is definitely a good place to visit for fun, however, I would like for friends to visit cultural activities, too. Visiting temples are always a fun experience because you learn about the creation of it, and why Thai people visit often.
- Chutimon: I would take my friends to Ari. It’s an area in Bangkok with a lot of restaurants and small shops that you wouldn’t find in the main area.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Equal parts upscale residential area and hipster hangout, the Ari neighborhood is home to a selection of great restaurants and cafés. Although it’s off the typical Bangkok itinerary, Ari (also sometimes spelled Aree) has a lot to offer for visitors to Bangkok seeking a quieter side of the city.
Next time you’re in Bangkok, be sure to add in Siam, Ari, and the Chatuchack Weekend Market to your itinerary, and visit old.thailandinsider.com for special packages.
You can view a few photo selects from the event in our slideshow below (Photo Credit: Pratya Jankong).
To view the teaser, check out the video below:
