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 MAKING
THE MOVIE
"FIRST FLIGHT," the Thai Feature Film, began
production in 2002. The film had approximately 3 different scripts, 5
different directors, 4 different producers, and 3 different titles. The
poster for "First Flight" appeared at Cannes Film Festival for three
consecutive years previous to May 2007, when the film finally premiered
under the title "Rak Siam Tao Fah" (Love Siam as much as the sky). The
completion of "First Flight" was a labor of love. This was the first Thai
movie to use real aerials in the production of a film. Three scale models of
the Breguet 14 were built and filmed against a blue screen to later be
inserted in the aerials. The computer graphic team had never flown before;
they were taken flying and given the controls of the plane, so that they
could feel the movements that they would need to create with computer
graphics. The film chronicles a remarkable period in Thai history when the
first aircraft arrived in the Kingdom. Much of Southeast Asia was being
colonized at the time by Britain (Burma, Malaysia), France (Laos, Vietnam,
Cambodia), and Holland (Indonesia). When King Rama VI made the bold decision
to support France in WWI with expeditionary forces and pilots from Siam, he
preserved Siam's independence after the war. The film depicts a classical
era in early Siam with a young farmer boy that has a dream to fly. It would
be impossible for him to ever fly, but there is a Thai proverb "fan hai glei,
pai hai teung" which means as far as you dream, you can go. Lieutenant
Colonel Luang Kaj Yuthakarn is the founder of the aviation program. He
invites his former instructor and flying ace Pierre Pupong from France to
help him. Duong is a poor farmer with a dream, and the beautiful Malai makes
it all that more interesting. It is a story of a meeting of two different
cultures and how each adapts to the other, and in the end, it is a story of
pride and remembering the early pioneering aviators in the Kingdom of Siam.
"First Flight" premiered in Thailand on 31 January 2008 --
List of Film Credits. |
"FIRST FLIGHT"
available on DVD
with English subtitles
US$30
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THAI AVIATION HISTORY
Prepared by Group Captain Sakpinit Promthep -
sakpinit@hotmail.com
 The
First Flight in Thailand
1911
The Société d’ Aviation d’ Extrème Orient, formed by Karl Offer, organized a
flying demonstration by Belgian aviator, Charles van Den Born, in a Henri
Farman IV biplane named “Wanda,” from January 31 to February 6, 1911,
at Sra Pathum Racecourse (presently the Royal Bangkok Sports Club). Extra
demonstration was added on February 9, 1911, due to public demand.
 The
First Thai Aviators
1911-1913
Having the will to build a powerful military, His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama
VI) envisioned the airplane as a means of defense as well as fostering a
spirit of nationalism. The initiatives of His Royal Highness Prince
Chakrabongse Bhuvanath and His Royal Highness Field Marshal Prince Nakorn
Jaisri Suradej, the Minister of War, who had been on a military tour to
Europe in 1911 and learned about military aviation in France, also confirmed
the necessity for Thailand to have the airplane as a military tool. Thus, on
January 18, 1912, the Ministry of War sent three officers to France. They
were Major Luang Sakdi Sanlayawut (later Air Marshal Phraya Chalermakas),
Captain Luang Arwut Sikikorn (later Group Captain Phraya Vehasayan Silapasit
) and Lieutenant Thip Ketuthat (later Group Captain Phraya Thayanpikart ).
These three founders of Thai aviation are recognized as “ Founding Fathers
of the Royal Thai Air Force.” While they were in training, the Ministry of
War ordered four Nieuport monoplanes (Nieuport IIN and Nieuport IVG) and
three Breguet biplanes (Breguet III) from France. Later, Chao Phraya Aphai
Bhubet (Chum Aphaivong ) donated a fourth Breguet III to the Ministry of
War, bringing the number to eight aircraft, comprising the first two
aircraft in Thailand. The first three Thai pilots completed their training in August
and returned to Thailand in November 1913. Sakdi received a military pilot's license #1090 and Arwut
and Tip received civilian pilot's certificates from the Aero Club de France
--
THE
FIRST THREE THAI AVIATORS
 The
First Demonstration Flight
1913
In December 1913, the Ministry of War established the Aviation Section under
the command of Field Marshal Prince Kamphaengphet Akhrayothin, Inspector
General of the Royal Engineers at Sra Pathum Racecourse. The Aviation
Section started with only eight aircraft and three pilots who served as
mechanics as well. The three pilots conducted the first flying demonstration
at Sra Pathum Racecourse, December 29 -30, 1913. On January 13, 1914, His
Majesty King Vajiravudh presided over a demonstration flight. The three
pilots had an audience with the King and proceeded to throw popped rice and
flowers as a mark of honour and prosperity. His Majesty conferred upon
Lieutenant Colonel Luang Sakdi Sanlayawut the Dushdi Mala Medal. This day
has become National Aviation Day.
 The
Road to Don Muang
1915
The Aviation Section was moved from a small and swampy Sra Pathum Racecourse
to a higher ground area at Don Muang. The move to the new site began on
March 5, 1915 and three days later, on March 8,1915, the three pilots
touched down their airplanes on the newly constructed airfield at Don Muang
for the first time. The move was completed on March 17, 1915 and the
Aviation Section resumed operations at its new home. On March 27, 1915, the
Aviation Section was organized as the Army Flying Corps. The Royal Thai Air
Force celebrates this date as “ Air Force Memorial Day.” On May 24,1915,
less than two months after the establishment of the Army Flying Corps,
Lieutenant Colonel Phra Chalermakas successfully made the first flight –
test in a Breguet Type III at an altitude of 300 feet. The airplane was
built from local materials (except the engine) by the Engineering Section,
with a performance equal to the purchased aircraft. This fulfilled the
determination of Phra Chalermakas to “build our own airplanes.
 Thailand
in World War I
1917-1918
When the First World War broke out in Europe in 1914, Thailand adopted a
policy of neutrality. However, on July 22, 1917, Thailand decided to declare
war on the Central Powers and a Thai expeditionary force was sent to Europe.
The participation in the war provided the opportunities for flying training.
After returning to Thailand, this trained contingent became a valuable
resource in the country‘s aviation development. On March 19, 1920, with the
growth and expansion of Thai aviation, the status of the Army Flying Corps
was raised to become “ The Aeronautical Department of the Army.” In World
War I, Thailand sent a small expeditionary force consisting of 1,284
volunteers to France under
the command of Major General Phya Pijaijarnrit (later promoted to Lieutenant
General and known as Phya Devahastin) to serve with the British and French
forces on the Western Front. Included was a contingent of the Army Air
Corps. The Thais arrived in 1918 and the air personnel began training at the
French Army Flying Schools at Avord and Istres. Over 95 men qualified as
pilots and some were sent to Bomber School at Le Crotoy, Reconnaissance
School at Chapelle-la-Reine, Gunnery School at Biscarosse, and to Fighter
Conversion Courses at Piox --
THAI PILOTS in World War I
Article
SKY OF DREAMS (Nation Newspaper)
Take a look
Behind the Scenes
Interview with one of the actors (in Thai)
First Flight - Thai version
The long journey of RS Production
making "First Flight"
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