Thai animation (Thai: แอนิเมชันไทย) has a rich history, dating back to the 1950s with the production of the first Thai animated shorts. Payut Ngaokrachang is considered the founding father of Thai animation.[1] Over the decades, the industry has flourished, earning both local and international recognition. Today, Thailand has established itself as a popular outsourcing destination for animation work, with 91% of its animation studios providing services to international companies. This has boosted exports and raised the profile of Thai animation, earning recognition from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) as the top animation-related business destination in Southeast Asia in 2016.[2][3]

History

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Early beginnings

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Thai animation has a rich history dating back to the mid-20th century. The first Thai animated shorts were created using traditional hand-drawn animation techniques, with "Amazing Incidents" premiering in 1955 at the Sala Chaloem Thai.[4] This animation, which had a runtime of 10 minutes, caught the attention of the American News Agency (USIS) in Bangkok where Payut Ngaokrachang was working as an art officer. Payut, considered a pioneer of Thai animation and a prominent animator and illustrator, was then invited to visit Toho in Japan to receive training in animated film-making. He went on to create "The New Adventures of Hanuman" in 1957, which had a runtime of 14.43 minutes,[5] and "The Children and the Bear" in 1959, which was 14 minutes long. These two animations were created while Payut was working on animation in Japan for the American News Agency, according to the agency's objective of creating an animated film against communism.[6][7]

In 1979, Payut created his first full-length animated film "The Adventure of Sudsakorn", which was based on the story of the poet Sunthon Phu and had a runtime of 82 minutes, consisting of 66,000 paintings. The film is widely considered a significant milestone in Thai animation history, and it was the first feature-length animated film produced in Thailand using traditional hand-drawn animation techniques. The film was a huge success, earning 2 million baht at the Athens Ratchathewi theater and making a significant impact on the Thai animation industry.[8][1]

1999–present

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In 1999, Broadcast Thai Television adapted Thai literary works into 2D animated TV shows, such as "Pla Boo Thong", "Sang Thong", "Ngo Pa", and "Lok Nithan", which revitalized the Thai animation industry. Three years later in 2002, the Thai 3D animation industry saw the release of "PangPond The Future World Adventure", adapted from a comic, which marked a golden year for the industry. The animation first aired as an episodic series on Channel 3 in April before being edited into the feature film "PangPond The Animation [th]" by Vithita Animation in October. Directed by Chaiporn Panichrutiwong, a rising star in the animation industry, the film was well-received and went on to become one of Thailand's leading animation franchises. It was also the first Thai animation to be shown in IMAX theaters.[9][10][11][12]

In the same year, "King Vikram and Vetal The Vampire", directed by Suthep Tantirooj and Panuthep Sutthepthamrong and animated by Anya Animation studio, was the first Thai 3D computer-animated film. It premiered at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan in August 2002 before being shown in festivals in Thailand. Despite being the first of its kind in Thailand, it was not until later that it gained recognition as a significant milestone in Thai animation.[13]

In 2007, Vithita Animation released the 2D animated series "Ramakien Mini Animation". Based on the Ramakien epic, the animated series was well-received and has continued to be a favorite among audiences, becoming a phenomenon for the animation industry in Thailand and leading to the sale of character rights for use in advertising and production of copyrighted products.[12]

Other notable TV series animated during this era include "Shelldon", created by Shellhut Entertainment and directed by Jirayuth Chusanachoti with a budget of around 100 million baht. The series debuted in the Thailand Animation Festival in 2005 and later was broadcast on Channel 3 in 2008. It was shown in over 150 countries and its license was purchased in over 16 countries, leading to the creation of three seasons.[14] Another series, "Paddle Pop Adventures", was created by The Monk Studios and was released in 2005, launching in over 33 countries.

Thai animation has come a long way since its early beginnings, and the industry has seen many significant milestones along the way. In 2006, Kantana Animation released the animated film "Khan Kluay", which was a turning point for the industry in terms of both budget and quality. The film, set in the Ayutthaya period, follows the adventures of Khan Kluay and captures the identity and symbols of Thailand. Directed by Kompin Kemgumnird, who has worked with renowned studios such as Walt Disney and Blue Sky Studios, "Khan Kluay" was a commercial success and became the highest-grossing film of the year in Thailand.[15]

Kantana Animation started in 1987 as a subcontractor for Japan's Toei. In 1994, it produced its first Thai animated series, "Twin Witches".[16] In addition to original productions, the company is also known for its outsourcing work, contributing to well-known works such as "Saint Seiya" and "Dragon Ball". Today, Kantana continues to offer outsourcing services to the Japanese animation industry.[17]

2007 saw the release of the 2D computer-animated film "The Life of Buddha". The film, which recounts the story of Lord Buddha, was produced by Media Standard Company and directed by Kritsaman Wattananarong. The technical director, Wisanukorn Kongsomsak, had previously worked for Thai Wang Film Productions, which outsourced work for major studios such as Walt Disney and Warner Bros.[18]

BeboydCG Studio, a subsidiary of True Corporation, and Sahamongkol Film collaborated on the animated film "Nak" which was released in 2008. The film uses both 2D image processing and 3D techniques to create characters and scenes and features the ghost character Mae Nak, based on the figure of the Thai female spirit who has a baby and can stretch her arms. The film was a hit and received praise for its cute and fun story that also conveyed moral themes.[18]

The success of "Khan Kluay" led to the creation of its sequel, "Khan Kluay 2", which was released in 2009. In 2012, Kantana Animation released its third animated film, "Echo Planet", a 90-minute 3D stereoscopic film. Despite a large investment of 170 million baht, the film only earned 17 million baht domestically.[18]

In October 2012, the 3D animated film "Yak: The Giant King" was released. The film, a joint venture worth over 100 million baht by Sahamongkol Film and Ittirit House, was directed by Prapas Cholsaranon and produced by Workpoint Pictures. The film took nearly 6 years and a team of 30 people to create, showcasing the dedication and talent of the Thai animation industry.[18]

With a budget of 230 million baht, "The Legend of Muay Thai: 9 Satra" is a 2018 animated film directed by Pongsa Kornsri, Nat Yoswatananont, and Gun Phansuwon. It was a collaboration between Igloo Studio, Exformat Films, and RiFF Studio, distributed by M Pictures. The film follows the story of a young boy named Ott, who becomes a Muay Thai warrior to save his village from the occupation of Ramthep Nakorn by Asura. Despite generating an impressive 20 million baht in earnings within just the first four days of its release and earning 100 million baht nationwide by the year of its release, it did not recoup its entire budget in the same year. Nevertheless, the film was released on Netflix,[19] allowing it to reach a wider international audience. It is known for its animation, which sets a new standard and demonstrates the growth and development of Thai animation.[20][21][22][23]

Another interesting is new wave of Indepedenece animator who create their content animation on YouTube as Pasulol or Pasu Lorpensri animator who create short animation on his YouTube chanel with satire comedy on a life and tradition of thai society with 2.32 million follower and most watched clip are 25 million view[24]

Studios

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Studio Founded Notes
Alternate Studio 2008
Anya Animation 2001
Appreciate Entertainment 2001
BeboydCG Studio 1997 Became a subsidiary of True Corporation in 2001.
Chardo Animation 2022
CKA Chiang Mai 2005 Subsidiary of Creative Kingdoms Inc.[25]
EEZ Studios 2016 [26]
Igloo Studio 2007 [27]
Imagimax Studio 1998 [28]
Kantana Animation Studios 1987 Kantana Animation transformed into Kantana Animation Studios Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Kantana Group, in 2007.
Kyoraku Pictures Thailand 2013 Subsidiary of Japanese Kyoraku Pictures[29]
Lunchbox Studio 2008
M2 Animation 1998 Subsidiary of Danish M2 Entertainment.
Muffin Animation 2003 [30]
RiFF Studio 2009 [31]
RSU Animation 2014
Shellhut Entertainment 2007 Subsidiary of Shellhut Co., Ltd.[32]
Studio Kun 2014 [33]
Studio Porta 2014 [34]
Teapot Studio 2007 [35]
The Monk Studios 2006 [36]
Thai Wang Film Productions 1989 Subsidiary of Taiwanese-American Wang Film Productions Co., Ltd.
Vithita Animation 2001 [37]
Yggdrazil Group 2006 [38]
Zurreal Studio 2005

Animations

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Animation films

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Year Title Director(s) Studio Technique Notes
1979 The Adventure of Sudsakorn
สุดสาคร
Payut Ngaokrachang Traditional animation First full-length animation film in Thailand.
2002 King Vikram and Vetal The Vampire
อภินิหารนิทานเวตาล
Suthep Tantirooj
Panuthep Sutthepthamrong
Anya Animation CG animation First 3D computer-animated film in Thailand which was screened at foreign festivals before screening at festivals in Thailand.[39]
2002 PangPond The Animation
ปังปอนด์ ดิ แอนิเมชัน ตอน ตะลุยโลกอนาคต
Chaiporn Panichrutiwong Vithita Animation CG animation First Thai animation to be shown in IMAX theaters.
2006 Khan Kluay
ก้านกล้วย
Kompin Kemgumnird Kantana Animation CG animation An Indian redubbed version Jumbo was released in 2008.[40]
2007 The Life of Buddha
พระพุทธเจ้า
Kritsaman Wattananarong Media Standard Co., Ltd. 2D animation
2008 Nak
นาค
Natthaphong Ratanachoksirikul Sahamongkol Film International CG animation
2009 Khan Kluay 2
ก้านกล้วย 2
Taweelap Srivuthivong Kantana Animation CG animation An Indian redubbed version Jumbo 2: The Return of the Big Elephant was released in 2011.
2012 Echo Planet
เอคโค่ จิ๋วก้องโลก
Kompin Keamkumned Kantana Animation CG animation
Yak: The Giant King
ยักษ์
Prapas Cholsaranon Workpoint Entertainment CG animation
2014 The Story of Mahajanaka
พระมหาชนก
Kriangkrai Suparasahasrangsi
Thananchanok Suban Na Ayutthaya
Nop Thamwanich
Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA)
Thai Animation and Computer Graphic Association (TACGA)[41]
3D animation
2015 Ananta: Light of Hope
อนันตา:ศิลาพิชิตมาร
Walpha Phimhthong Media Standard Co.Ltd 2D animation
Khun Tong Daeng: The Inspirations
คุณทองแดง ดิ อินสไปเรชั่นส์
Nitipat Somsaman
Phanlop Sincharoen
Saksiri Koshpasharin
Dr.Head
Imagimax Studio
The Monk Studios
Workpoint Pictures
CG animation
2018 The Legend of Muay Thai: 9 Satra
9 ศาสตรา
Pongsa Kornsri
Nat Yoswatananont
Gun Phansuwon
Exformat Films
Igloo Studio
RiFF Studio
CG animation
Krut: The Himmaphan Warriors
ครุฑ: มหายุทธ หิมพานต์
Chaiporn Panichrutiwong Rangsit University
RSU Animation
CG animation
2023 Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons
นักรบมนตรา: ตำนานแปดดวงจันทร์
Veerapatra Jinanavin RiFF Studio CG animation [42]
TBA Black Dust Igloo Studio CG animation [43]

Animation series

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Year Title Studio Season(s) Episode(s) Technique Notes
2002 PangPond The Future World Adventure
ปังปอนด์ ดิ แอนิเมชั่น ตอน ตะลุยโลกอนาคต
Vithita Animation 1 10 3D animation
2003–2014 PangPond The Series
ปังปอนด์ เดอะซีรีส์
Vithita Animation 3 65 2D animation
2004 PangPond The Insect World Adventure
ปังปอนด์ ดิ แอดเวนเจอร์ ตอน ผจญโลกแมลง
Vithita Animation 1 8 3D animation
2005 3 Kingdoms Super Fun
3Kok Mahasanook
สามก๊ก มหาสนุก
Vithita Animation 2 52 2D animation
2005–2016 Paddle Pop Adventures
แพดเดิลป๊อป
The Monk Studios 6 72 CG animation
2006 PangPond The Himmapan Adventure
ปังปอนด์ ดิ แอดเวนเจอร์ ตอน ตะลุยป่าหิมพานต์
Vithita Animation 1 8 3D animation
2006 4 Angies
โฟร์แองจี สี่สาวแสนซน
Anya Animation 3 56 3D animation
2007 Ramakien Mini Animation
รามเกียรติ์ มินิ แอนิเมชั่น
Vithita Animation 1 78 2D animation
2008 4 Comrades
4 สหายล่าไอเย็น
Vithita Animation 1 13 2D animation [44]
2008 Bubble Warriors CKA Chiang Mai 1 ? CG animation
2008 Shelldon
เชลล์ดอน
Shellhut Entertainment 3 78 3D animation
2008 The Salads
เดอะสลัดแก๊งจอมป่วน
Igloo Studio 1 26 3D animation
2008 Trio Bunnies CKA Chiang Mai 1 ? CG animation
2009 DoggaDoop
ด๊อกกาดู๊ป
Homerun Entertainment 1 52 CG animation
2009 Mahosod
มโหสถ ปราชญ์น้อยคู่แผ่นดิน
Vithita Animation 1 26 2D animation [45]
2010 StarDog
สตาร์ด๊อก
Broadcast Thai Animation 1 26 2D animation Byrdland [46]
2011 Byrdland Flying With Byrd
เบิร์ดแลนด์ แดนมหัศจรรย์
Shellhut Entertainment 1 52 CG animation
2011 Dino Master
ไดโน มาสเตอร์ ศึกเกมส์การ์ด อสูรล้านปี
Appreciate Entertainment 1 52 3D animation
2011 Kobutra The Legend of Sun's Son
โคบุตร ตำนานบุตรสุริยะ
Vithita Animation 1 26 2D animation Based on Sunthorn Phu's poem.[47]
2011 Papa Panda: Disruptive Family
ป๊ะป๋าแพนด้า ครอบครัวตัวป่วน
BeboydCG Studio 1 26 3D animation
2012 D-5 Warriors
ริวจิไฟว์
TIGA 1 26 2D animation [48]
2011 Papa Panda: As You Grow, Don't Cheat
ป๊ะป๋าแพนด้า โตไปไม่โกง
BeboydCG Studio 1 10 3D animation
2014 Ayupan x Bloody Bunny 2Spot Studio
RiFF Studio
1 5 CG animation
2014 Khoo Zaa
คู่ซ่าท้าสำรวจ
Vithita Animation 1 13 2D animation
2014 The Ultimate Power Vithita Animation 1 26 3D animation [49]
2015 Bloody Bunny: The First Blood 2Spot Studio
RiFF Studio
1 15 CG animation
2021 Mahanakhon Khanom Thai
มหานครขนมไทย
Vithita Animation 1 6 2D animation
2022–present Sea of Love The Monk Studios 1 15 Flash [50]
2023 My Daemon Igloo Studio TBA TBA 2D animation Collaboration between Netflix Japan, Hirotaka Adachi aka Otsuichi, and Igloo Studio[51]

Short animation

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Year Title Studio Technique Type Notes
2008 Bloody Bunny 2Spot Studio CG animation Short film
2011 Escape of the Gingerbread Man!!! The Monk Studio CG animation Short film [52]
2014 Coca-Cola vs SF Cinema The Monk Studio CG animation Commercial [53]
2014 Nine The Monk Studio CG animation Short film [53]
2014 RADAR Preparing for Disasters with Mr. Radar
พี่เรด้าร์เตือนภัย เตรียมพร้อมไว้เมื่อภัยมา
Vithita Animation CG animation Short film [54]
2015 Mahajanaka
พระมหาชนก เพื่อผู้พิการทางสายตา
Vithita Animation CG animation Short film [55]
2015 May Who? RiFF Studio CG animation Short film
2016 Riku Vithita Animation 3D animation Commercial [56]
2017 Midnight Story RiFF Studio 3D animation Short film
2020 Aomori no Kisetsu Igloo Studio CG animation Commercial [57]
2020 Farmhouse
ปิ๊งรักฉบับนายขนมปัง
Igloo Studio CG animation Commercial [58]
2020 KIDS SEE GHOST Igloo Studio CG animation Music video [59]
2020 MV-ORBIT Igloo Studio CG animation Music video [60]
2020 The Weather is Lovely RiFF Studio CG animation Short film
2021 A Town Where We Live
วันแห่งฝันคืนแห่งแสง
Igloo Studio CG animation Short film Created to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA).[61][62]
2021 Popmart Dimoo X JD: Joy Studio Yggdrazil Group 3D animation Commercial [63]
2021 The Golden Crow Yggdrazil Group 3D animation Short film [64]
2022 Nai Khumkrong Vithita Animation 2D animation Commercial [65]
2022 Mariam and Friend The Monk Studio CG animation Short film [66]
2022 XRB Galaxy The Monk Studio 3D animation Game cinematic [67]

Animators

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b ปยุต เงากระจ่าง บิดาแห่งแอนิเมชันไทย (in Thai)
  2. ^ South East Asia Animation Report 2018 (PDF), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, p. 24
  3. ^ SEA Digital Content Industry Report 2022 (PDF), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, p. 105
  4. ^ เหตุมหัศจรรย์, Film Archive
  5. ^ หนุมานเผชิญภัยครั้งใหม่, Film Archive
  6. ^ เด็กกับหมี The Children and the Bear, Film Archive
  7. ^ Patcharawit 2017, p. 25.
  8. ^ Patcharawit 2017, pp. 25–26.
  9. ^ แสตมป์การ์ตูนชุดแรกของไทย. แสตมป์ & สิ่งสะสม. ปีที่ 1 (+42) ฉบับที่ 3. พฤษภาคม 2555. ISSN 2229-2780. หน้า 64
  10. ^ Patcharawit 2017, pp. 27, 83–84.
  11. ^ Buathong 2014, p. 3.
  12. ^ a b ANIMATION อนิเมชั่น คืออะไร ? (in Thai)
  13. ^ Patcharawit 2017, pp. 83–84, 95.
  14. ^ Patcharawit 2017, p. 30.
  15. ^ Patcharawit 2017, p. 28.
  16. ^ A. Lent 2004, p. 11.
  17. ^ KANTANA LEGACY EP.04 "ANIMATION" (vdo) (in Thai). Kantana Group. September 17, 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d Patcharawit 2017, p. 29.
  19. ^ "ภาพยนตร์อนิเมชั่น 9 ศาสตรา ประกาศฉายลง Netflix ในช่วงคริสต์มาสปี 2019 นี้", Dexclub (in Thai), December 13, 2019
  20. ^ 9 มุมน่ารู้ กว่าจะมาเป็น 9 ศาสตรา (in Thai), January 16, 2018
  21. ^ Prepanod Nainapat (January 11, 2018), ทำให้ง่ายไว้และไม่ต้องไทยมาก คุยกับโปรดิวเซอร์อนิเมชั่นไทยเรื่องใหม่ '๙ ศาสตรา' (in Thai)
  22. ^ 9 ความเจ๋งของภาพยนตร์เรื่อง 9 ศาสตรา ที่ควรไปดูในโรงภาพยนตร์ให้ได้! (in Thai), January 21, 2021
  23. ^ ก้าวต่อไปของ ๙ ศาสตรา หลังทำรายได้ในประเทศไทยทะลุ 100 ล้านบาท (in Thai), February 9, 2018
  24. ^ "มองเรื่องธรรมดาให้ตลก (ร้าย) กับ PASULOL | q and a day - a day magazine". August 24, 2021.
  25. ^ CKA Chiang Mai
  26. ^ EEZ Studios
  27. ^ Igloo Studio, Igloo Studio
  28. ^ Imagimax, Imagimax
  29. ^ Kyoraku Pictures Thailand
  30. ^ Muffin Animation, Muffin Animation
  31. ^ RiFF Studio, RiFF Studio
  32. ^ Shellhut Entertainment
  33. ^ WANCHANA INTRASOMBAT (KUN VIC), Studio Kun
  34. ^ Studio Porta
  35. ^ Teapot Studio
  36. ^ The Monk Studios, The Monk Studios
  37. ^ Vithita Animation, Vithita Animation
  38. ^ YGGDRAZIL
  39. ^ Patcharawit 2017, p. 95.
  40. ^ Amul Sharma (8 December 2008). "Akshay Kumar's Jumbo is official remake of Thai movie". Mid-Day. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  41. ^ Patcharawit 2017, p. 96.
  42. ^ นักรบมนตรา : ตำนานแปดดวงจันทร์ (in Thai), retrieved September 9, 2023
  43. ^ Black Dust, Igloo Studio
  44. ^ 4 สหายล่าไอเย็น, Vithita Animation
  45. ^ Mahosatha - VITHITA ANIMATION, Vithita Animation
  46. ^ "Broadcast Thai Television :StarDog สตาร์ด๊อก".
  47. ^ Kobutra - VITHITA ANIMATION, Vithita Animation
  48. ^ "ก้าวแรกอันองอาจของฮีโร่สายพันธ์ไทย "ริวจิ ไฟว์"". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  49. ^ The Ultimate Power - VITHITA ANIMATION, Vithita Animation
  50. ^ เปิดตัว 'Sea of Love' แอนิเมชันซีรีส์สำหรับเด็กฝีมือคนไทยเรื่องแรกบน Netflix (in Thai), May 23, 2022
  51. ^ Crystalyn Hodgkins (2022-09-25), Netflix Reveals My Daemon Animated Series from Writer Hidetaka Adachi
  52. ^ Escape of The Gingerbread Man, The Monk Studio
  53. ^ a b Nine, The Monk Studio
  54. ^ RADAR Preparing for Disasters with Mr. Radar, Vithita Animation
  55. ^ พระมหาชนก เพื่อผู้พิการทางสายตา, Vithita Animation
  56. ^ Riku, Vithita Animation
  57. ^ Aomori no Kisetsu, Igloo Studio
  58. ^ Farmhouse, Igloo Studio
  59. ^ KIDS SEE GHOST, Igloo Studio
  60. ^ MV-ORBIT, Igloo Studio
  61. ^ งามจับใจ! "วันแห่งฝัน คืนแห่งแสง" ผลงานอนิเมชั่นฝีมือคนไทยฉลองครบรอบ 60 ปี การไฟฟ้าส่วนภูมิภาค, Online Station, June 16, 2021
  62. ^ A Town Where We Live, Igloo Studio
  63. ^ Popmart Dimoo X JD: Joy Studio – YGGDRAZIL, Yggdrazil Group
  64. ^ The Golden Crow – YGGDRAZIL, Yggdrazil Group
  65. ^ Nai Khumkrong, Vithita Animation
  66. ^ Mariam and Friend, The Monk Studio
  67. ^ XRB Galaxy, The Monk Studio
Sources
  • Patcharawit, Khemmapat (2017), The History of Thai Animated Films, Communication Art and Design
  • Buathong, Daraya (2014), The portrayal of Thai Identity in Thai Animation, "The Giant King", Communication Arts and Innovation
  • A. Lent, John (2004), The Sleeper Status of Southeast Asian Animation (PDF)
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