Himal Press 
Vitidnan Rojanapanich is a renowned film writer and director in Thailand. He is also the first Thai citizen to successfully climb Mount Everest.Rojanapanich reached the summit of Mt Everest on December 20, 2008. Recently, on December 2, 2024, he successfully climbed Yasa Thak (6,141m) in the Rolwaling range which was opened for commercial expeditions in October last year. Rojanapanich is known for films like Siam Missile, A Man Will Rise and A Bit Longer. He has written stories for over a dozen films, worked as an assistant director on dozens of films and hosted numerous television programs. He was also once active in theater and has received many awards. Currently, Rojanapanich is working on a campaign to connect Nepal and Thailand at the grassroots level. In an interview with Himal Press, Rojanapanich, who is also the chairperson of the Thai-Nepal Friendship Association, shares his love for Nepal and his future plans. Excerpts:
How does it feel to come back to Nepal?
Coming to Nepal feels like coming to my second home. I feel very excited; I feel like I have landed in a city of hospitality. Maybe because I am unmarried, I sometimes feel like settling down here. My goal is to bring Nepal and Thailand closer. The Nepal-Thai relationship is not just 65 years old, it is also very good. There is some regular business between the two countries. However, it has not reached its full potential in Nepal. It is also necessary to bring tourists who come to Thailand to Nepal. These tourists can experience both the sea and mountains. I will collaborate with the Thai-Nepal Friendship Association on this. I will also push the embassies of both countries on this matter.
After leaving your mark in filmmaking, you ventured into mountaineering. What drew you toward the mountains?
People’s interests are not always aligned with their study and work. I studied arts at a reputed university in Thailand and pursued higher education in culture. I learned acting. I performed not just in theater but also in street plays. Later, I became a director. People also consider me a successful writer. But this alone did not fulfill my desire. While scouting locations for shooting, I wanted to observe Nepal’s Himalayan range. For that, I needed to climb some parts of the mountains. As someone who grew up near the sea, climbing mountains was very challenging. I went to Nepal to study and practice mountain climbing. I took training. I mingled with the Sherpa community and, in 2008, I reached the Everest summit
How was your experience of reaching the Everest summit?
At one point, I thought I was finished. Perhaps because Nepal is the land of Buddha, I was looked after well and I survived. I became the first Thai citizen to reach the highest peak in the world. At that time, I remembered my mother. This time, I have brought my mother with me. And I remembered my homeland’s monarchy. It felt like conquering the world. I found my mother overwhelmed with joy hearing that her son had climbed Everest.
Returning from the summit was not easy either. I thought I might perish in Buddha’s land. But I returned down successfully. I could reach the summit with the encouragement and support of Sherpa friends. Without Sherpas, other foreigners cannot climb mountains. I want to salute this brave community. After the success on Everest, I felt like continuing to climb smaller mountains. I also trekked to the hills in Chiang Mai in my country. I also reached Mount Inthanon in Thailand, which is 2,565 meters high.
Why have you come to Nepal this time?
I was here to climb yet another mountain. On December 2, I successfully climbed Yasa Thak (6,142m) mountain. I am the first foreigner to climb this peak. On the summit, I paid tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn. I brought a Buddha statue (Phra Buddha Metta) from Bodh Gaya to plant on the summit. I also brought a glass box of Kala rice, the same type of rice that Sujata offered to Buddha.
I will now engage in mountaineering expeditions. My mother has also come along after learning about my successful climb. Also, it has been 65 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Thailand. We have requested to add ‘Echo Peak’ to the name of Yasa Thak peak on this unforgettable year of our friendship. On behalf of the Thai government and myself, we have proposed naming it Echo Friendship Peak to reflect the 65 years of diplomatic relationship between Nepal and Thailand.
Why are you proposing it to be named Echo Peak?
Yasa Thak is a new peak in Nepal’s Himalayan range. Since no one had climbed it before, we couldn’t figure out how difficult was it. At first glance, I also thought it would be difficult to climb. Once I started climbing, it did not feel too difficult for me. However, ot would have been very difficult for me to climb without the Sherpa team.
Echo means our love echoes to the world. We hope that we can encourage all people on this planet to echo love. We pray for world peace. The song ‘Echo’ was composed by King Rama IX. This year, King Rama celebrated his 72nd birthday. Therefore, this year was special for the Thai people. I understand that the word Echo reflects the eternal resonance of love and friendship shared by the two nations, inspired by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s royal composition ‘Echo’.
What plans do you have to take Nepal-Thai relations to greater heights?
The friendship association aims to strengthen relations between the two countries. I am particularly focused on connecting the sea and mountains. Just as we played an important role in providing donations, essential supplies and medical equipment to Nepal during the devastating 2015 earthquake, we want to be there for each other in times of difficulty. Let’s develop together at the same pace. Nepal lacks political stability. I hope that improves and cooperation increases. My emphasis is on directly connecting Thailand and Nepal to elevate Nepal in the tourism business. We have ordinary peaks. Many countries don’t have the beauty of peaks. Yet those countries are progressing. Nepal has everything but hasn’t been able to progress. I often ponder about this. People here are humble, helpful and hardworking. Yet the country has fallen behind.
Have you permanently left the film direction?
Art and film are in my veins. Mountaineering is a desire that developed later. So I will definitely return to films. I aspire to make a good Hollywood film by shooting in various parts of Nepal and Thailand. I wish to have not just actors from Nepal, Thailand, and this region but also Hollywood actors perform in it. Let’s see how much time supports this. In a few days, I plan to prepare a story connecting the sea and mountains. I will discuss this with successful Nepali artists and regional relationship experts, which will help connect us to each other.
