Thailand Woos U.S. Film Crews with 30% Cash Rebate Policy

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: 77kaoded

 

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has launched a 30% cash rebate scheme aimed at enticing U.S. filmmakers to shoot in Thailand, projecting this initiative will generate over 10 billion baht in spending next year.

 

On 12 November, Paetongtarn hosted a networking reception in Los Angeles, joined by Charles H. Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), along with key figures from major U.S. film studios.

 

Highlighting Thailand’s appeal as a global filming destination, Paetongtarn noted that in the past year alone, over 450 films from 40 countries were shot in Thailand, injecting approximately 7 billion baht (USD 190 million) into the economy.

 

American productions accounted for 34 films, making the U.S. the largest foreign contributor. The new rebate policy allows for a 30% cash rebate without an upper limit on spending per project, providing strong incentives for major studios.

Rivkin and other executives from companies such as Disney, HBO, Netflix, and Sony expressed enthusiasm for Thailand’s enhanced incentives, praising the country's commitment to supporting the global film industry.

 

Rivkin noted that the initiative elevates Thailand's standing as a premier filming location in the region and boosts international investment. He added that U.S. productions filming in Thailand contribute an estimated USD 1.3 million daily to the local economy and generate local employment.

 

Paetongtarn's dialogue with top executives, including Disney’s Cathleen Taff, HBO’s Jay Roewe, Amazon’s Vernon Sanders, NBCUniversal’s Chris Miller, and Paramount’s Sharon Keyser, aimed to strengthen Thailand's cultural presence on the global stage, reported 77kaoded.

 

These partnerships are set to support Thailand’s soft power strategy, enriching its creative industry and enhancing the economy through increased investment from abroad.

 

The new rebate scheme is part of Thailand’s strategy to position itself as a leading hub for international film production, with hopes that increased investment will also contribute to local skill development and job creation within the Thai film industry.

 

Executives from the 7 film companies who talked to the Prime Minister, they are as follows:

1. Mr. Charles H. Rivkin, President and CEO, Motion Picture Association of America

2. Ms. Cathleen Taff, President, Distribution, Franchise and Audience Analytics, The Walt Disney Company;

3. Mr. Jay Roewe, Senior Vice President, Production Planning and Incentives, HBO/HBO MAX and Warner Bros. Pictures

4. Mr. Vernon Sanders, Head of Television, Amazon/MGM Studios

5. Mr. Chris Miller, General Counsel, NBCUniversal Studio Group; 6. Mr. David Hyman, Chief Legal Officer, Netflix Studios

7. Ms. Jill Ratner, General Counsel, Sony Pictures Entertainment

8. Ms. Sharon Keyser, Senior Vice President Government Relations and Planning, Paramount Pictures Corporation”

 

-- 2024-11-14

 

 

[soi3eddie]

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

The new rebate policy allows for a 30% cash rebate without an upper limit on spending per project, providing strong incentives for major studios.

 

No mention of where the "cash rebate" is coming from. Does this mean that the Thai government will rebate 30% of all spending in Thailand by the production company? Would be nice to hear more detail. Could be a big incentive to film here. 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

Highlighting Thailand’s appeal as a global filming destination, Paetongtarn noted that in the past year alone, over 450 films from 40 countries were shot in Thailand, injecting approximately 7 billion baht (USD 190 million) into the economy.

 

It seems companies are happy to spend their money without discount. Why give them extra discount? That doesn't make any sense.

[ikke1959]

Cash.... that sounds same as brown envelope

[CallumWK]

Reminds me about what happened under the first Thaksin government.

 

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/film-executive-and-spouse-found-guilty-paying-bribes-senior-thai-tourism-official-obtain

[john donson]

no pornhub or onlyfans representative?

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Highlighting Thailand’s appeal as a global filming destination, Paetongtarn noted that in the past year alone, over 450 films from 40 countries were shot in Thailand, injecting approximately 7 billion baht (USD 190 million) into the economy.

So why give back 30% next year?

[John Drake]

There are only so many big productions that Thailand can handle. Grand Elephant and Living Films are the big two production service companies. They're usually fully booked, especially during this time of year, when rainy season has ended. There are some second tier companies such as Greenlight that is pretty close to the other two, but it is usually booked up solid as well. After that, it's mainly boutique companies and small scale service providers. Kantana mainly does postpro these days, I think. JKN was supposed to build a lot of studios, but I don't know what its economic state is today after the Miss Universe fiasco. In other words, I don't see where there is room for any big expansion of Hollywood level productions.

[BruceWayne]

They obvs need to promote the country cos its on its ass.

 

Looking for similar effoct as 'The Beach' no doubt but zoomers are too savvy (and flights cost too much) so they're gonna be stuck with the Indians and Russians 🙄

 

'White Lotus' should be released soon which may give it a boost

Great series if you haven't watched the Italian and Caribbean ones

 

 

[BruceWayne]

9 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

It seems companies are happy to spend their money without discount. Why give them extra discount? That doesn't make any sense.

 

It doesn't make any sense cos they're bull <deleted> ing

 

[ModdaPunk]

Can't wait for the next Star Wars in Pattaya.

Disney is gonna be able to reach new lows thanks to LoS.

[thesetat2013]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has launched a 30% cash rebate scheme aimed at enticing U.S. filmmakers to shoot in Thailand, projecting this initiative will generate over 10 billion baht in spending next year.

 

Wow... 30% Bribe to convince film makers from the US to use Thailand. 

But what they do not say is that any filming must show Thailand in a good light to promote it. So people will never see the seedy or poor side of the country in a film.