25 March 1963

‘The Ugly American’ premieres

Thailand enjoyed a splash of Hollywood glamour as The Ugly American made its world premiere at the Chalerm Thai Theatre. Based on the 1958 best seller by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer, the film was largely shot on location in Thailand.

The film starred Marlon Brando as an American ambassador of the fictitious Southeast Asian nation of Sarkhan, which was ruled by a prime minister played by well-known Thai writer and politician MR Kukrit Pramoj. The story features rulers who are influenced by superstitious beliefs such as fortune telling, and raises questions about US intervention abroad.

On March 23, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted an audience to Brando and the film’s director, George Englund. The producers chose Bangkok for the world premiere to express their appreciation of the cooperation the film-makers received from Thai authorities, particularly the Tourist Organisation of Thailand.

25 March 1963

‘The Ugly American’ premieres

Thailand enjoyed a splash of Hollywood glamour as The Ugly American made its world premiere at the Chalerm Thai Theatre. Based on the 1958 best seller by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer, the film was largely shot on location in Thailand.

The film starred Marlon Brando as an American ambassador of the fictitious Southeast Asian nation of Sarkhan, which was ruled by a prime minister played by well-known Thai writer and politician MR Kukrit Pramoj. The story features rulers who are influenced by superstitious beliefs such as fortune telling, and raises questions about US intervention abroad.

On March 23, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej granted an audience to Brando and the film’s director, George Englund. The producers chose Bangkok for the world premiere to express their appreciation of the cooperation the film-makers received from Thai authorities, particularly the Tourist Organisation of Thailand.