More 'Love' from Bangkok Critics

The Love of Siam took six out of 11 awards while Muay Thai Chaiya grabbed three from the Bangkok Critics Assembly. The ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Miracle Grand Hotel in Bangkok.

Love of Siam continued its dominance of Thailand's film awards, taking the Critics' top two prizes for Best Picture and Best Director. Writer-director Chukiat Sakweerakul also won for best Best Screenplay.

“I hope the film will encourage other filmmakers and producers to make more inspiring films,” producer Prachya Pinkaew was quoted as saying in Daily Xpress.

Sinjai Plengpanich was named Best Actress for her role as the worried mother in the gay teen drama. She missed winning the same prize in an upset at the Subhanahongsa Awards last month. Love of Siam's Chermarn "Ploy" Boonyasak won Best Supporting Actress, repeating her success at the Subhanahongsas.

Other repeats went to the Muay Thai Chaiya pair of Akara Amartayakul and Sontaya Chitmanee, who won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for their role as a boxer and his best friend.

The Love of Siam and Muay Thai Chaiya shared the prize for Best Score, the first time in the competition’s history a prize has been shared.

The Best Cinematography prize went to Chankit Chamnivikaipong for Ploy, by director Pen-ek Ratanaruang.

Best Editing went to Chatchai Katenut and Saranee Wongphan for 365 Wan Tam Tid Cheewit Dek Ent (Final Score), a documentary about a year in the life of some schoolboys in their senior year of high school.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to actor Adul Dulyarat. He starred in the 2004 musical historical drama, The Overture.

The HBO Award for the highest-grossing film last year went to The Legend of King Naresuan: Pegu’s Hostage, the first in the epic historical drama trilogy by M.C. Chatrichalerm Yukol.

(Via Daily Xpress, Variety)