By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

Under the 2009 National Film Act, authorities will not allow former convicted sexual offenders to open a cinema, a VCD/DVD shop or rental store.

"We will check the background of those who seek an operating licence," Film Review Office director Pradit Posew vowed at a seminar yesterday.

He says the act will bar anyone who has been sentenced to jail for sexual offences from operating any such business.

"That's why we want the fingerprints of people who request operating licences," Pradit points out.

According to him, the 2009 National Film Act will be announced in the Royal Gazette next week, after which it will take immediate effect.

'Complicated' procedures

Soonthorn Auesurattanachai, who is authorised to seek a licence for his Imagine store in Nonthaburi, says he feels the new act has complicated procedures.

"I really don't understand why my fingerprints are needed. Why should my background be checked this deeply?" he asks.

He says Imagine has sold only copyright items and there is no pornographic material involved. "I will, of course, abide by the laws, but I feel the complicated process takes so much time," Soonthorn laments.

Under the new act, cinemas are required to announce the ratings accorded to each film.

"We will abide by the rule," a representative from SF Cinema says. "We believe the announcement will not affect the number of viewers at our cinemas."

The film-rating system has categorised films into seven groups.

The first group is for films that should be promoted; the second for general audiences; the third for viewers aged 13 years or older; the fourth for viewers aged 15 or older; the fifth for viewers aged 18 or older; the sixth for viewers aged over 20, and the seventh for films banned in Thailand.

--The Nation/ANN