Somboonsuk Niyomsiri, aka Piak Poster, the movie poster artist turned film director, has been named a National Artist in the Culture Ministry’s artist awards for 2015.
The 83-year-old veteran director was appointed a National Artist in the field of performing arts (television and film art). He was among eight artists awarded the prestigious title this year.
The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Thanasak Patimakorn after a meeting of the National Culture Commission on Wednesday evening.
In this 2002 file photo, Somboonsuk “Piak Poster” Niyomsiri is honoured with a lifetime-achievement award. (Bangkok Post file photo)
Piak Poster is known for his memorable, classic Thai films — Tone (A Man Called Tone, 1970), Choo (The Adulterer, 1972) and Wai Onlawon (Age of Disorder, 1976).
Choo, a moral drama shot on a southern island, tells the tumultuous story of a fisherman, his wife and her lover. The film won a special award at the 19th Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Singapore and was recently added to the list of “25 films as National Heritage” announced annually by the Thai Film Archive and Ministry of Culture.
Piak Poster has previously won two Lifetime Achievement awards -- from the Bangkok Critics Assembly and the Federation of the National Film Association of Thailand.
After being named National Artist, the elderly director said he felt more secure with his future knowing that he would receive a monthly salary and healthcare allowance that comes with the honourable title.
“I’m pleased to disseminate my knowledge and experience for the benefit of the younger generations, including all the [English-language] film textbooks that I’ve translated,” Piak Poster said.
National artists receive a monthly salary of 20,000 baht and a healthcare allowance of up to 100,000 baht for the rest of their lives.
Two other artists also awarded in the field of performing arts were Wenika Boonnag (Thai traditional dance) and Santi Loonpae (international music).
Three artists were honoured in the field of visual arts: Kritsada Rojanakorn (architecture), Wichai Sitthirat (sculpture) and Sermsak Narkbua (industrial design).
And, respected non-fiction writer Theeraparb Lohitkun and SEA Write poet Paiwarin Khao-Ngam were National Artist stature in the field of literature.