Anna and the King.

Contrary to published reports, officials at Twentieth Century Fox are still hoping that Thailand's censors will approve the $80 million romantic drama, "Anna and the King," starring Jodi Foster and Chow Yun-Fat. It would be the first time the story of Siam's King Mongkut and Anna H. Leonowens, the British governess who taught his children, has been given the green light in Thailand.

The 1956 musical "The King and I" was banned, as was this year's animated version of the tale. The story of Leonowens and Mongkut has been a sore point for the Thai people ever since the governess wrote about her life as a teacher at the royal court. Her books and articles about Siam were banned. In his day, Mongkut was treated as a near deity who had 600 wives and scores of children.

"The monarch is an issue of great sensitivity in Thailand and there is a great reverence for him and the royal family," said Jim Gianopulos, president of Twentieth Century Fox International. "Any subject that deals with this issue has to have the appropriate sensitivity."

Gianopulos said Prince Charti Chalerm Yugala, a member of the Thai royal family and a film director, has seen "Anna and the King" and has become a champion of the movie. "He has made it known to the Thai press that there is nothing negative in the film," he said.

Fox officials and the Thai censors are expected to meet later this week.