Three years late, 'Nak Prok' finally makes it to Thai cinemas

A controversial Thai movie banned under the old Thai film laws is finally getting its play on cinemas here -- three years after its completion. “Nak Prok”  (The Shadow of the Naga) was banned back in 2007, but thanks to the Thai government’s new ratings system that will allow the film to be shown to an 18+ audience it will finally be screened, opening in movie theaters on March 18. 

According to a post by Thai film blogger Wise Kwai last month, the film, about a trio of thieves who bury their loot in a Buddhist temple then dress as monks in order to retrieve the stolen money, made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008 a year after its completion despite being banned from Thai cinemas. 

Thailand’s real-life Buddhist monks are upset the film is now being shown here, reports The Nation, noting that the Association of Buddhist Relations released a statement saying that "Nak Prok" gives Buddhist monks a bad image and vilifies the religion as a whole. The association said it would ask the Culture Ministry to review its decision to allow the film to be screened.

For "Nak Prok" showtimes, visit Movieseer.com.