Thailand Archives | Otaku No Culture

Just What A Useful Ghost Offers Is Not Seduction, But Suction

A Useful Ghost turns grief, spirituality, and social satire into one of the most offbeat supernatural films in recent memory. Blending heartfelt loss with possessed appliances and sharp cultural commentary, this Ghost Month standout is equal parts absurd and affecting.

A Useful Ghost Movie Poster — **Playing at the Victoria Film Festival Feb 14th, 2026 at The Roxy (2657 Quadra St.) at 2pm. Buy tickets here.**

Filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke has crafted a supernatural film that doesn’t just tug at the heartstrings, it suggests grief doesn’t always need to be sucked up. A Useful Ghost (ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ) weaves several tales together to create the ultimate Ghost Month film. Originally debuting in August 2025 for Southeast Asian audiences, it’s now making a well-deserved splash across the international festival circuit.

The film introduces a series of suffocating situations. There is Tok (Krittin Thongmai), who dies at work from chest congestion. Elsewhere, an unnamed academic (Wisarut Homhuan) insists it isn’t dust but industrial pollution choking him. He buys a vacuum cleaner that promptly malfunctions. When Krong (Wanlop Rungkumjad) arrives to fix it, he has no idea he’s about to be seduced.

Continue reading “Just What A Useful Ghost Offers Is Not Seduction, But Suction”

When tasting an Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath (แสงกระสือ 2), What One Feels Is Not Quite Undead.

Although the sequel, Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath took five years to get released, perhaps watching the first film is required to get viewers up to speed.

Now available on Digital and VOD

After Valentine’s Day weekend, all I can say is that love bites. After viewing a Thai film titled Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath, I’m glad to not be currently dating anyone from South Asia. That lady can be 100% mortal by day and completely monstrous at night! According to folklore, the Krasue is this nation’s version of a vampire and the belief in them is real. Even today, people report sightings!

Most of the encounters come from farmers. While some manifestations may simply be swamp lights than will-o’-the-wisps, the fear is justified. They flit about the countryside in search of a midnight snack. Although they are not true vampires, just why they exist does not differ from why the Beholders from Dungeons and Dragons have sprung into being. They don’t guard treasure, but instead need to satisfy a bloodlust. This aspect is one concept this film gets right!

Continue reading “When tasting an Inhuman Kiss: The Last Breath (แสงกระสือ 2), What One Feels Is Not Quite Undead.”

When Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons Lands At Fantasia 2024…

After Fantasia Film Festival 2024, Google Search says Mantra Warrior is destined to Netflix next!

Every country has a legend, and in Thailand, The Ramakien is one of several epic tales that paint a solid picture of good triumphing over evil. Here, King Rama and Tosakanth are opposites, and when the latter kidnaps the queen because he’s in love with her, this lord will fight back! What’s presented in Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons requires knowing the source material to truly appreciate it; otherwise, what’s presented like a Siamese version of Final Fantasy on steroids.

That’s because of the bold character designs and colour choices used to bring this mythic world to life. I want to compare this work to Gundam because of all the giant robots featured. Even though they look nothing like, the fact they carry oversized weapons with crazy nicknames is enough to make me think that director Veerapatra Jinanavin had this anime in mind!

Continue reading “When Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons Lands At Fantasia 2024…”

[VFF ’16] When Elephants Were Young, Their Role in Asian Societies, A Review

One night in modern Bangkok will not make any member of the native Thai tribes heralding their mammoth pet around the streets humble after watching When Elephants Were Young.

Available to view on Vudu (Updated Sept 2022)

One night in modern Bangkok will not make any member of the native Thai tribes heralding their mammoth pet around the streets humble after watching When Elephants Were Young. This documentary made by local filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark, and narrated by William Shatner is excellent at showing how these creatures should be treated with respect instead of used. People revere this gentle beast, but sadly, they view the old traditions without truly understanding the native culture that once accepted keeping them “as pets.” Bob Dylan’s song, “The Times They Are a-Changin’” is one way to sum up the how the film moves and this film nicely reveals where attitudes are headed.

World Elephant Day (August 12, 2016) is championing preventing the Asian elephant from going extinct. Large steps are being made by the government to see the animal get saved. Ever since they got domesticated for warfare during Ancient Greek times, if not used in jungle warfare in India, their relationship with man has been an uneasy one. Are they working animals, creatures to be paraded around in zoos, or what? This film looks at their roles in human society today, focusing specifically in the relationship Wok, a mahout (elephant guardian), has with Nong Mai, an elephant he’s taken care of for at least a decade. He’s part of the Kui tribe and they have to adapt to modern times.

Continue reading “[VFF ’16] When Elephants Were Young, Their Role in Asian Societies, A Review”