SYNOPSIS

"In a time of innocence, when East meets West, this is a story of dreams and courage in the skies of Siam..."

FIRST FLIGHT is the story of the early history of aviation in the Kingdom of Siam. In the year 1912, Lieutenant Colonel Luang Kaj Yuthakarn was one of three Thais sent to learn flying at the Flying Training School in France. Upon his return, the Flying Division was established in Siam making it the first country in Asia to have a aviation program. Luang Kaj encountered many obstacles in this effort, not the least of which was the resistance from members of the Royal family who thought it was nonsense. Luang Kaj persevered. First, he had to train his own pilots with the help of Pierre Pupong, his friend and former flight instructor from France. His students were five commissioned officers and one non-commissioned officer. The non-commissioned officer is a farm boy. Someone from such humble origins would normally never have a chance to be a pilot, but FIRST FLIGHT is a film about the "Power of a Dream." It is about Luang Kaj's dream to have an aviation program in Siam. It is about Duong's dream to fly, and it is about a meeting of two cultures. The aircraft and Pierre come from the West, and Siam is in the East. Through the four months of hard training and the interaction of these flying cadets, we learn about Thai culture and the challenges of early aviators. These are the days when airplanes were made of wood, and the pilots were made of iron. This is a film that should make Thai and French people proud of their aviation history and should inspire young people to believe in the power of their dreams. FIRST FLIGHT is the first Thai movie to use real aerials in its production, and it is a living tribute the dreams and courage of the aviation pioneers in the Kingdom of Siam. 

"FIRST FLIGHT"

is now available on VCD with English subtitles
(pay with paypal)

US$20

THAI PILOTS in World War I
THE FIRST THREE THAI AVIATORS
Article SKY OF DREAMS (Nation Newspaper)
Take a look Behind the Scenes
Interview with one of the actors (in Thai)
First Flight - Progress history
First Flight - Thai version
First Flight - End Credits & Thanks

"FIRST FLIGHT" AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2007 An extraordinary opportunity to promote and celebrate cultural and trade relations between Thailand and France presented itself during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007 with the release of the Thai movie -- "FIRST FLIGHT."
HISTORICAL FACTS
- The first 3 Thai pilots were trained in France in 1912 -- Major Luang Sakdi Sanlayawut, Captain Luang Arwut Sikikorn, First Lieutenant Tip Ketuthat (who was later Air Marshal Phraya Thayanpikart). The three officers completed their training in August 1913. Sakdi received a military pilot's license #1090 and Arwut and Tip received civilian pilot's certificates from the Aero Club de France. -- www.earlyaviators.com/esakdi.htm 
- In World War I, Thailand sent a small expeditionary force consisting of 1,284 volunteers to France under the command of Major General Phya Pijaijarnrit (later promoted to Lieutenant General and known as Phya Devahastin) to serve with the British and French forces on the Western Front. Included was a contingent of the Army Air Corps. The Thais arrived in 1918 and the air personnel began training at the French Army Flying Schools at Avord and Istres. Over 95 men qualified as pilots and some were sent to Bomber School at Le Crotoy, Reconnaissance School at Chapelle-la-Reine, Gunnery School at Biscarosse, and to Fighter Conversion Courses at Piox. -- www.firstworldwar.com/features/thailand.htm 
- The Kingdom of Siam was the first country in Asia to have an aviation program. The movie FIRST FLIGHT is the story set in the Kingdom of Siam at the time of the birth of Aviation in Siam. It is a story about the meeting of two cultures -- East and West. It is a story about "believing in the power of your dream." It is a story of how France and Siam worked together to create the first Aviation Program in Asia. It is the story of the early Siamese Aviators in a time when the airplanes were made of wood, and the pilots were made of iron. This film shows very well the good cooperation between France and Siam at this important time in history and the bravery of Thai aviators when they went to help in France during World War I. The languages of French and Thai are spoken in this movie (with English subtitles). This movie uses real aerial footage shot over spectacular mountainous jungle near Umphang, the rice fields of Suphanburi, the rivers near Nakorn Sawan and the mountains of Khao Yai. The French aircraft Breguet 14 are featured in this film. The film FIRST FLIGHT should make Thailand and France very proud of their achievements together at this time.