The first film awards dedicated specifically to Thai films was inspired by Thailand's hosting of the 23rd
Asia-Pacific Film Festival in 1977. The Film Producers Association of Thailand then hosted the first in 1979, using the same trophy design created earlier for the Asia-Pacific Film Festival. The
Golden Suphannahong Awards were held a total of seven times, and ceased after 1988 when the Film Producers Association stepped back from its
de facto leadership role in the Thai film industry. The Federation of National Film Associations (now the MPC), which took over that role, began presenting a new series of awards, known as the National Film Awards, in 1992 (for films released in 1991). The ceremony was held in association with the
Office of the Prime Minister's Film Promotion Board and the government public relations department, and the first awards were presented by
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. It employed a "Milkyway to the Stars" symbol for its trophies. The awards were held annually for nine years, but was halted in 2001 as the Thai film industry produced few films in 2000. ==Awards==