Bangkok celebrates anniversary with free outdoor film screenings at National Museum

Bangkok is the kind of place where gleaming towers rise beside centuries-old temples – a city of contrasts that somehow just gels. And this year, the Big Mango turned 243 on April 21. To mark the occasion, the capital’s buzzing with events, with all sorts of public and private organisations joining in the celebrations. One highlight comes from the Thai Film Archive, who’ve teamed up with the Ministry of Culture to host outdoor film screenings in the National Museum.

From now until April 27, the main courtyard of the museum is transforming into a cosy outdoor cinema, screening films that capture the city’s history, culture, and the everyday chaos that makes it so full of life. The lineup includes a mix you probably didn’t see coming: war sagas, urban thrillers, nostalgic throwbacks and even a horror flick. Best of all, it's free, with screenings starting at 7pm each night.

Unfortunately, only two films in the programme feature English subtitles. The first, See Siam Through The State Railway Film Collection, will screen on April 23. Completed in 2024, this flick brings together silent historical footage, accompanied by a newly composed instrumental score. It gives us a glimpse into Siam from the 1920s to early 1930s, showcasing everything from palace ceremonies to everyday life and the landscapes of a past era.

The next film is Dan Sab (The Cursed Land, 2024), playing on April 27. This psychological horror delves into a lesser-known chapter of Bangkok’s history, focusing on a Muslim community in the city’s eastern suburbs. It follows the eerie tale of a father and daughter who move to Nong Chok, a Muslim area on the outskirts of the capital, only to encounter a vengeful djinn that’s been trapped since the early days of the Rattanakosin period.

While only two films have English subtitles, there’s still plenty to enjoy. On other days, you can catch Thai classics like romantic Tawiphop (1990) or supernatural drama Sunday is Luk Bah Tiew La Sood (Crazy Me, 1993) to get a feel for Thai cinema. After all, the museum at night and an outdoor screening are an experience in themselves.