Foreign Film Industry Leaders To Explore Filming Locations In Thailand

[webfact]

23 foreign film leaders in Thailand

By The Nation

Twenty three foreign film industry leaders are in Thailand now to explore potential filming locations and facilities in Thailand, to familiarise with the variety of landscapes and infrastructure available for movie production.

On invitation from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the leaders from China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Sweden, the United States and Vietnam during March 27 will travel to the central, northern and southern regions.

They will observe the country's culture and lifestyles along with natural attractions; such as, mountains, beaches and islands. The film directors will also visit support infrastructure including lab facilities, recording studios and other service providers. A highlight of their trip will be a meeting with leading Thai film directors.

In 2011, TAT expects to maintain 9 per cent growth in income from foreign tourists, with the number of international arrivals expected to reach 16.5 million by the end of this year. With Thailand's strong domestic and international appeal as a filming destination, the country should remain at the forefront in this region.

According to TAT, in 2010, the number of foreign film productions in Thailand grew by 16 per cent while the value of these productions grew by 108 per cent. A total of 578 foreign film crews shooting feature films, television series, documentaries, advertisements and music videos were on location in Thailand, generating revenue of about US$62 million (approximately Bt1.87 billion).

"While we reach millions of potential visitors through our regular marketing campaigns, films are a great way to highlight Thailand's natural beauty and attractions. They can generate great interest in Thailand, with lasting memories related to these films. This strengthens the Thailand brand and encourages people to make their first visit, or come back again," said TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni.

Among the hundreds of crews that filmed in the country last year, Thailand welcomed teams for Hollywood productions of "Mission Impossible" and "The Scorpion King 3." In addition, to its natural attractions and varied landscapes, Thailand has the advantage of a solid infrastructure for both pre- and post-production including skilled people for audio visual effects, advanced equipment and qualified workers, as well as tremendous value for money. Domestic film and digital production in Thailand are also expanding under the government's drive to develop a creative economy.

The Thai government has increased its support for the film sector. In November 2010, the Cabinet agreed to waive fees for shooting permits on government-owned properties including national parks supervised by the Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department; along with properties under the Royal Forestry Department, Royal Irrigation Department, Fine Arts Department, Treasury Department, State Railway of Thailand, and Suvarnabhumi Airport. This fee waiver will remain in effect until the end of December 2011, except for national parks, for which the fee waiver policy will expire on December 1, 2011.

-- The Nation 2011-03-28

[bangon04]

Hopefully the visitors will be fully briefed about all the things they can't mention, depict, allude to, criticise or acknowledge. Probably best to avoid all factual items and stick to the temples, mountains and beaches/islands.

It would be unacceptable if the finished product showed any negative aspect to the Thailand we know and love so much. At the very least it should be submitted to Thai censors for approval.

"With Thailand's strong domestic and international appeal as a filming destination, the country should remain at the forefront in this region."

Don't they often film in Malaysia when they want to represent Thailand?

Edited March 28, 2011 by bangon04

[asiawatcher]

"... The Thai government has increased its support for the film sector. In November 2010, the Cabinet agreed to waive fees for shooting permits on government-owned properties including national parks supervised by the Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department; along with properties under the Royal Forestry Department, Royal Irrigation Department, Fine Arts Department, Treasury Department, State Railway of Thailand, and Suvarnabhumi Airport. This fee waiver will remain in effect until the end of December 2011, except for national parks, for which the fee waiver policy will expire on December 1, 2011."

Utter BS. In November and December last year Suvarnabhumi (Baht 80,000 per day), Krabi National Parks (Baht 40,000 per day) charged this to my clients. Who do we see about a refund?????

[geriatrickid]

What an amusing article. Thailand is only used when there is a need for a cheap foreign backdrop. The real money maker is in the pre and post production. That's what generates the spinoffs and provides the skilled job opportunities. Hong Kong, Korea, India all have excellent production facilities. US$62million is nothing. One cannot encourage foreign film makers to arrive unless there is a government strategy to support and encourage the industry. Big deal, that some fees are waived.

If Thailand needs an idea of what to do, its officials should take a trip to Canada which is probably the leading location for foreign film activity. In order for Thailand to attract the investment and activity it needs a similar approach.

-Tax incentives

-Facilities and available skilled personnel

-A wide range of auxiliary services such as post production facilities, sound stages and animation studios

- Integrity of government support, i.e. no requests for kickbacks, bribes, or fears of theft or damage to expensive equipment. Investment and support of film industry education.

- Amendments to the immigration rules to allow for the integrated use of foreign labour. Thailand doesn't have the pool of skilled labour to encourage an expansion of the industry. Someone has to help train the workers.

Canada used a strategy that has resulted in a small nation of 34 million,having a film industry that generates $5 Billion and provides employment for 117,000.

Now imagine if Thailand had a film industry strategy, what it could achieve.

[wintermute]

These companies have deep pockets though and they are well connected so they know which people to milk in Thailand's fledgling industry to get the best deal. I'm sure there's a lot of E-list Thai tv stars with kneepads prepared who would love to get a cameo in some big western production and are all clamoring to appeal to foreign studio execs. Plus a lot of politicians love show biz because it's easy money and hanging out with movie stars validates their feeble egos.

People have been using Thailand for decades as a backdrop because it's relatively cheap to pay off some corrupt bigwig (which is 99% of thai politicians) than go through a million tax hoops in the western world.

[Misterwhisper]

They also better familiarise themselves with all those restrictions put up by the Thailand Film Office before they commit possibly millions of dollars to filming in the country.

[wintermute]

They also better familiarise themselves with all those restrictions put up by the Thailand Film Office before they commit possibly millions of dollars to filming in the country.

Screwing over major studios isn't quite like screwing over some Brit expat on walking street. It's an entirely different ballgame because if you piss off the wrong people they can totally close your country's overseas film distribution down. U.S. studios are powerful entities who have their fingers in all sorts of pies.