The number of films being prepared about the recent cave rescue in northern Thailand has risen to six, according to Thai government sources.
Thailand's Ministry of Culture says it expects the military government's Cabinet next week to approve the establishment of a special committee to oversee all film projects relating to the dramatic mission.
"Five international film production companies have proposed to the commerce and foreign ministries that they make a movie and a documentary about the rescue operation," Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said on Thursday. At least one Thai company is also developing a film.
Rojpojchanarat did not identify any of the production firms, although two were quick to pounce on the story, with one scouting locations near Chiang Rai even before all 13 boys and their soccer coach had been extracted.
Discovery Channel has already shot an hour-long documentary, "Operation Thai Rescue." It will air next Monday.
Besides the five international initiatives, DeWarrenne Productions, headed by Thai-Irish producer-director Tom Waller ("Mindfulness and Murder," "The Last Executioner") said it was developing a script that would focus on the Thai elements and the unsung heroes.
The rescue of the Wild Boars soccer team from flooded caves beneath the mountains in Tham Luang provides plenty of rich source material: the heroic efforts of local and international divers, the clever use of technology, a race against time before summer rains delayed rescue attempts for months, the psychological hurdles that the boys will continue to face. The youths had all but given up hope before emerging to a media scrum and hospital quarantine, and commentators have been quick to suggest that their lives will never be the same again.
Another angle could be the bizarre intervention of Tesla mogul Elon Musk, who tried to get involved with a mini-submarine. Musk became embroiled in a spat with one of the British rescuer divers, whom Musk described as a pedophile before being forced by public outrage to apologise.
The Thai government committee is to be headed by the National Film Broad and include officials from the culture, commerce, and tourism and sport ministries.
Thailand's ruling junta is understood to be keen for some good PR to rub off, especially for its all-important tourism industry, and ahead of planned elections in 2019.
Australian Associated Press
