Special Report:

Foreign filmmakers flock to Thailand

BANGKOK: -- Despite the domestic political difficulties that seem to afflict every industry in the nation, a certain group of foreigners has chosen to shrug them off and carry on with their multi-million-dollar projects right in this vibrant country.

Director General of Tourism Development Office, Mr Seksun Narkwong, said this year he expects more foreign filmmakers to come to Thailand compared with last year.

At least 6-7 major movies have already contacted Thai authorities for filming permission. This is considered a good sign after last year’s economic crisis impacted the industry.

Extrapolating from the trend, the number of movies to be shot in Thailand is expected to increase no less than 50% compared to last year, or around 1.2-1.5 billion THB.

However, it is unlikely to reach 2 billion as in 2008 due to the as-yet-uncompleted economic recovery.

Mr Seksun revealed the latest figures showing that there are now 133 movies which have filed permission requests.

However, some have decided to postpone their production plans as they are concerned that the uncertain political situation may be prolonged.

They may decide to relocate to other countries, which would disappointingly lead to losses of opportunity and income for Thailand.

If there is no violence like last year’s April riots, and no airport seizure, the filming will not be affected. The important thing the foreign filmmakers want is safety, Mr Seksun explained.

According to the Thailand Film Office, there were 116 foreign movies which were filmed in January and February, generating a total income of 213 million THB.

Out of this number, 40 were documentaries, 60 advertising movies, 5 feature films, 7 TV movies, and 4 music videos. A majority of the production is from Japan, a total of 33, followed by India, 22, and Europe, 20.

This year, the Office of Tourism Development will step forward in building confidence among movie producers abroad as well as introducing attractive shooting locations in Thailand to the global market.

Representatives from the agency will be joining major film events to be organized in Korea, Hong Kong, the US, France, Japan, and Spain. The upcoming event is the Film Festival in Hong Kong which will be held from 20-26 March.

-- NNT 2010-03-17

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Mmmm so far we have many postponements. But this article gives hope for the coming year

W

It looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel, who knows maybe they know more than I do. And CUT................

They are all vying to make the next big block buster film titled Blood on the Saddle by the .....

I did hear they are coming up to Chiang mai to make a re run of the FOG

On more of a serious note what ever happend to the idear that i read about some time ago where they were going to make a huge Movie studio up here in Chiang mai i think in the sankampaen area?.

I thought it was supposed to be in Chon Buri.

The timing of this announcement is unfortunate at best. Or just more puff promotions through TAT.

Lights, Camera, Action!!! Okay, maybe a little less on the action please

I know they won't do it, but if they let the porn industry into the country you would be cock sure it would end up being a US billion dollar industry. All the porn industry needs is the official go ahead and wham bam thank you mam it would be up and running!

I did hear they are coming up to Chiang mai to make a re run of the FOG

The som-tam lady says, it's a topical political-thriller, called 'Smoky & The Bandit'.

With a whopping five feature films being partly filmed here this year, Thailand is fast becoming the Hollywood of Asia.

Not.

The hub of foreign film making.

Yeah they should come to Chiangmai they could make a film with 1950's London smog as its theame, the pollution here is a disgrace!

I did hear they are coming up to Chiang mai to make a re run of the FOG

On more of a serious note what ever happend to the idear that i read about some time ago where they were going to make a huge Movie studio up here in Chiang mai i think in the sankampaen area?.

I did hear they are coming up to Chiang mai to make a re run of the FOG

On more of a serious note what ever happend to the idear that i read about some time ago where they were going to make a huge Movie studio up here in Chiang mai i think in the sankampaen area?.

You are totally right, there is a large, very, very large studio under construction in the sankampaen area with many Thai animators, etc already working full time.

Citylife wrote a little piece about it this at the end of last year and it is a bit on the down low but definitely happening.

I did hear they are coming up to Chiang mai to make a re run of the FOG

On more of a serious note what ever happend to the idear that i read about some time ago where they were going to make a huge Movie studio up here in Chiang mai i think in the sankampaen area?.

You are totally right, there is a large, very, very large studio under construction in the sankampaen area with many Thai animators, etc already working full time.

Citylife wrote a little piece about it this at the end of last year and it is a bit on the down low but definitely happening.

Thanks for the post.

A few years ago, there was a lot of talk about the proposed construction of such an installation and, now, its location has a name (sankampaen) which I'll most certainly explore.

I did hear they are coming up to Chiang mai to make a re run of the FOG

Or perhaps Smokey and the Bandit II.

For those of you joking about it. Thailand has a very big entertainment industry. Many commercials, movies etc are filmed here each year. There are more than 100 production companies active in this industry alone. On top of that there are many big studio complexes around the country ... Moonstar in Bangkok Meng Jai area, Montri in Latprao soi 101 area, Kantana at Salaya (huge plot), huge studio plot in Kanchanaburi etc etc etc. and many many more smaller studios.

Thailand has a huge internal market for productions (look at the 59 to 99 baht vcd's ... every month many new ones turned out) A big number of movies for theatrical release is made also each year. Apart from the nationwide terrestial channels there are now 10's if not over a hundred satelite/cable channels. All of this translates to many people working in the industry and many facilities being available for a bargain price for foreign producers. In Thailand locations can be found that can stand in for virtually every part of the world if shot at the right angle.

Do not joke. Thailand already has been a major hub in this industry for years and it will grow as long as there is not to much political violence!

W