OK Baytong (Thai: โอเค เบตง) is a 2003 Thai drama film about Buddhist-Muslim relations in southern Thailand. It is written and directed by Nonzee Nimibutr.
Contents
Plot
Tum is a young man who has been a monk living in a Buddhist monastery in Thailand since he was 5 years old, but after hearing that his sister has been killed in an attack on a train by insurgents, he decides to leave the monastery and make his way to southern Thailand, where his sister ran a beauty salon in a town called Betong, in a district in Yala Province, on the border with Malaysia.
In looking to put his sister's affairs in order, Tum finds himself conflicted. His sister has a daughter, by a Muslim man who lives on the Malaysian side of the border. He is torn between running his sister's business, and taking a larger role in her child's life.
In addition to his duties to his sister, Tum deals with internal conflict regarding his romantic and sexual attraction for a woman, as well as his feelings regarding Muslims, whom he holds responsible for his sister's death.
Cast
Phoovarit Phumpuang as Tum
Jeeranan Manojam as Lynn
Saranya Kruengsai
Film festivals
OK Baytong was shown at many film festivals worldwide in 2004, including:
Bangkok International Film Festival
Berlin Film Festival
Hawaii International Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival
New York Asian Film Festival
Pusan International Film Festival
Seattle International Film Festival
Vancouver International Film Festival