Suvarna of Siam (1923-06-23) by Thai FIlm ArchiveThai Film Archive
In 1923, American film producer Henry MacRae set out from the US to look for exotic locales to make movies. He arrived in Siam -- what Thailand was known then -- and decided to shoot a film here with Thai cast complete with Thai culture and attractions.
Acknowledgement paper's H.R.H Prince Purachatra (1923) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
MacRae was granted permission by King Rama VI to shoot on location. The Film News Department and Royal State Railways were assigned to facilitate MacRae's shoot.
Announcement for audition casting (1923-04-18) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
The first film projection in Siam took place in 1897, but film production was still a new endeavor. There had never been a feature film made locally and professional actors were non-existent.
MacRae made a casting call in newspapers and recruited actors from the Royal Troupe.
The three leads were finally secured.
Ms. Sa-ngiem Naveesathien plays Miss Suwarna, the leading woman.
Khun Ram Prutasart plays Klaharn, the leading man.
Luang Prutakammakoson plays Kong-Kaew, the villain.
Suvarna of Siam (1923-06-23) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Suvarna, the beautiful of daughter of a nobleman, falls from a motorboat in a water accident. She is rescued by a ferryman called Klaharn. From there, their love blossoms.
Suvarna of Siam (1923-06-23) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
But their different social class is a thorn in their romantic destiny. Suvarna's wealthy family rejects the lowborn Klaharn. They also want their daughter to marry a gentleman, Kongkaew, of the same social standing.
Suvarna of Siam (1923-06-23) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
Kongkaew tricks Klaharn to go to Chaing Mai and frames him in a crime. Klaharn is sentenced to death. But Suvarna arrives just in time to save him. It is revealed that Klaharn is the heir of a Chiang Mai nobleman. His love for Suvarna is thus fulfilled.
When the shoot was finished, Henry MacRae gave one copy of 'Suvarna of Siam' to King Rama VI.
The King granted permission for the film to be distributed in cinemas of Siam Niramai Company. The film was released on June 22, 1923.
Another copy of the film was given to Royal State Railways, which provided production assistance to MacRae. The State Railways released the film in the cinemas run by Siam Papayon. The film was released as "Miss Suvarna" on June 23, 1923.
In June 25, 1923, MacRae left Siam with the negative. He wrote an article narrating his experience making the film and published it in 1923.
Suvarna of Siam (1923-06-23) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
In 1925, a Thai newspaper reported that MacRae's film was released in the US under the title "Kingdom of Heaven". But there is no corroborating evidence in the US that the film was ever released. The negative of the film has never been found.
Suvarna (1923-06-23) by Thai Film ArchiveThai Film Archive
2023 marks a centenary of "Suvarna of Siam", the first feature film shot in Thailand.
For decades, the Thai Film Archive has been actively searching for any possible remaining copy of the film both in Thailand and the US. The search continues.
