Thousands of Thais thronged cinemas in Bangkok on Sunday to grab free tickets to an epic film featuring a medieval king, given away by military authorities keen to kindle patriotic feeling after seizing power to end months of unrest, report Reuters.
The film, The Legend of King Naresuan Part V, depicts King Naresuan the Great, ruler of Siam (as Thailand was formerly known) and his drive to end the domination of invaders from neighbouring Burma during his rule from 1590 to 1605. Featuring computer-generated battle scenes with warriors atop elephants, the film has nationalist overtones and focuses heavily on self-sacrifice and patriotic love.
Junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha has encouraged Thais to seek common ground since staging a coup on May 22 to halt recurring violent protests by rival political camps, at odds for a decade. At least 28 people were killed and hundreds injured in the latest round of tumult since November.
"There are so many problems in society. I think this movie will help us feel patriotic and united," Ngamjai Munkatanyu, 51, said after securing tickets for her two children and a niece. "That's how we can survive."
The movie's prequels were some of the highest-grossing films in Thai box-office history. The cast includes military officers keen to promote the film's message.
"All of us, the government, the private sector, must set down a foundation to create stability for the next generation," Lieutenant-Colonel Wanchana Sawasdee, an actor and poster boy for the military who plays the king, said after an advance weekend showing. "This movie is part of that."
The issue of succession to revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 86, is sensitive in the country of 67 million. His son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, has yet to secure the same devotion.
Some analysts suggest the dividends may be brief from attempts to heal divisions while the military holds power. There have been 19 successful or abortive coups in Thailand since the mid-1930s.
"It will work in the short term because Thais are pragmatic. We try to get everything that is to our benefit and suits our tastes," said Kan Yuengyong, director of the Siam Intelligence Unit think-tank.
"In the long term, this is questionable. People will think about their own rights and the rationale of a military regime. People will want to know who will be the next prime minister."
The World Cup has also played its part in the campaign to "return Thailand to happiness," with all games shown on free-to-air channels.
Hundreds have been detained since the putsch, most close to ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Attempts to stage protests against the coup have been snuffed out.
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