5-7-2024 (BANGKOK) In a remarkable fusion of ancient traditions and modern entertainment, a Chinese cemetery in the northeastern Thai province of Nakhon Ratchasima has taken the concept of movie-going to an entirely new realm. From June 2 to June 6, the eternal resting place, housing 2,800 graves, transformed into an open-air cinema, with rows of empty chairs carefully arranged to accommodate an audience unlike any other – the spirits of the deceased.
The graves within this hallowed ground belong to descendants of Chinese immigrants who ventured to Thailand in search of new beginnings. The film screenings, a poignant gesture of remembrance, aimed to commemorate the souls of these individuals who have long since departed from the mortal realm.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the cemetery grounds took on a surreal ambiance, with only four staff members present to orchestrate the ethereal event. From 7 pm until the stroke of midnight each day, the flickering images on the makeshift screen danced across the graves, providing a form of entertainment that transcended the boundaries of life and death.
In addition to the cinematic offerings, the organizers paid homage to ancient Chinese traditions by laying out a lavish feast for the spirits. Paper offerings, meticulously crafted to resemble food, model houses, vehicles, clothing, and daily necessities, were burned in a symbolic gesture, inviting the departed to partake in the bounties of the material world they had once inhabited.
The screening event, organized by the Sawang Metta Thammasathan Foundation, was a testament to the enduring cultural practices that celebrate the bond between the living and the deceased. According to KhaoSod, a Thai daily newspaper, the foundation’s aim was to commemorate the spirits and provide them with a modern form of entertainment, blending the contemporary with the traditional in a harmonious fusion.
Somchai, the event organizer, explained that screening movies for the deceased after the Ching Ming Festival or before the Dragon Boat Festival is a long-standing custom in many Chinese communities across Thailand. This practice is rooted in the belief that the spirits of ancestors linger in the human realm, and by offering them entertainment and respite, their souls can find solace and fulfillment.
Yanawut Chakrawattisawang, the contractor responsible for facilitating the event, confessed to initial trepidation at the prospect of showing movies in a cemetery. However, as the screenings unfolded, he described the experience as unique and profoundly positive, marking his first foray into providing entertainment for the departed.
The event garnered widespread attention and commentary on social media platforms, with one observer on Weibo remarking, “This spooky film screening event is actually a very warm idea to make the deceased feel satisfied and the living feel at ease.”
The Chinese community in Thailand, deeply influenced by the Confucian principles of filial piety and reverence for ancestors, holds a deep-seated belief that spirits may linger in the human world due to unfulfilled wishes. By holding ceremonies such as these film screenings, the living strive to comfort the souls of their departed loved ones, ensuring they feel remembered, respected, and at peace, thus reducing any potential “interference” with the affairs of the living.
While Buddhism remains the predominant religion in Thailand, with 94.5 percent of the population adhering to its teachings according to the 2015 national census, the belief in reincarnation and the afterlife transcends religious boundaries. Many Thais embrace the notion that after death, a soul enters a new cycle of rebirth, and by showing movies to the departed, they aim to comfort and satisfy their spirits, ensuring a peaceful transition into their next incarnation.
This unconventional form of tribute to the deceased highlights the rich tapestry of cultural traditions that coexist in Thai society, where ancient beliefs and modern practices intertwine seamlessly. From holding ghost marriages, as exemplified by a Thai man who wed his late girlfriend in a symbolic ceremony last December, to the innovative film screenings at the Nakhon Ratchasima cemetery, the Thai people continue to honor their ancestors and embrace the enduring connection between the realms of the living and the departed.
