Helen's Blog /

Guests clucking over a glass of champagne were bowled over Tuesday night at the Majestic Hotel when to the tune of the national anthem of Thailand, they caught a glimpse of Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya of Thailand gliding into the Salon Croisette in a glamorous fluffy white strapless evening gown and silver pumps, followed by the Ambassador of Thailand in Paris, and dignitaries from the Entertainment sector of that country. Also in attendance at the reception was the Mayor of CANNES, Monsieur Bernard Brochand.

After taking seat in an enormous, throne-like red velvet and gilded armchair, which seems to have been flown in for the occasion, her back facing the audience, ceremonies began with an introduction to screening locations and upcoming media events in Thailand, such as the first Thailand Entertainment Expo, September 16-20, intended to turn the country into the Entertainment Hub of Asia.

The cosmopolitan Princess, a direct descendant of one of the most ancient and surviving monarchies in Asia, is the daughter of reigning King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, reputed over past decades as being one of the most beautiful women in the world.

A graduate of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, the Princess has embraced a new activity as actress in her native country.

A first feature, Where The Miracle Happens presented at last year's Cannes Film Market. In it, she plays a successful, driven businesswoman who experiences a terrible tragedy when a car accident leaves her badly injured and her young daughter dead. She uses the new release on life to renounce materialism and atone for her past mistakes. While delivering a donation to a school in a remote, underprivileged region, she discovers the peacefulness of nature and is charmed by the innocence of a group of local children.

The character in the film, she says, is very much like her. Asked about her artistic bent, she replies that she was always fascinated by the entertainment sector and loved to sing even as a youngster.

Immediate plans include a historical epic film of the action genre Legend Of The Queen already in preproduction.

Aside the fact that the Thai Royal family is extremely popular, the Princess herself, is on her way to rapidly becoming an idol in her own country and an icon capable of uniting different factions within Thailand, as well as an inspiration to many people.