Thai Documentary: Final Score

The tests that the students all take were administered by the National Institute of Educational Testing Services. 2006 was the first year that Thai high school students were required to take as part of Thailand's efforts to create uniform academic standards. Due to questionable results from those taking the tests, as well as scores given to students who reported did not take the test, 300,000 Thai students were uncertain about the correct score results as well as their academic future. Two senior officials with the testing company resigned. In the scheme of the documentary, this incident is given rather short shrift considering the magnitude of the number of students affected, particularly those interested in studying outside of Thailand. The film almost suggests that the students managed to get accepted into college in spite of, rather than because of, their test scores.

I also have to wonder why director Soraya Nakasuwan chose to focus on male students. Especially as their are so few female filmmakers in Thailand, her working with young women would have be useful in both discussing the role of women in Thailand as well as showing by example a career option possibly not considered. As Soroya previously made her reputation co-directing a documentary critical of the Tourist Authority of Thailand, one would have hoped that a film about Thai education would be sharper. Final Exam is more entertaining than edifying. What is encouraging is that a Thai documentary is given the same kind of treatment as such typical fare as Noodle Boxer and Letters of Death.

Cross-posted in Coffee Coffee and more Coffee.