Thailand Thriving As Filming Location

[webfact]

Thailand thriving as filming location

File photo: Railay Beach. Source: wikimedia

BANGKOK, 21 February 2012 (NNT) – The Department of Tourism has indicated that Thailand has become a popular filming location among movie makers, with over 50 requests to use Thailand as a filming location in just one month.

Director of the Thailand Film Office, under the Department of Tourism, Wansiri Morakul disclosed that, in January alone, the office received 56 requests from movie makers to film their production in Thailand, which accounts for a total investment value of around 687.35 million baht. Among these requests is a high-budget production from New Zealand, which is expected to start filming in Thailand in April. Ms. Wansiri pointed out that the fact that high-budget films have chosen Thailand as their filming location bodes well for the country.

In 2011, a total of 606 films were shot in Thailand, generating a revenue of 1.22 billion baht for the economy. However, last year's income from this area is 34.38% lower than that of the previous year when 1.86 billion baht was brought into the country from only 578 films. This is partly a consequence of the flood crisis during the end of the year, which slowed down filming processes during October to December.

According to Ms. Wansiri, the office has planned five roadshow activities for this year. Two roadshows have already been conducted in South Korea and UK, while the remaining three are scheduled for Hong Kong, Cannes and the USA. The office will reassure film makers that filming locations in Thailand have not been affected by last year’s devastating flood.

-- NNT 2012-02-21

[Pseudolus]

Indeed - I seem to recall a well reviewed film mentioned recently on here shot in Thailand. Think it was called "the Air Hostess and the random Japanese man"

[Thai at Heart]

Indeed, downtown bangkok has had more film taken of it in the last 5 years than the previous 50

[lifeisthefun]

Abdullah does Debbie and Then Blows Himself Up

Director: Quds Forces

Genre: Horror/Comedy

Parental Guidance Strongly Recommended

[janverbeem]

Something is missing in this news report.........I know,it's the word HUB.

Anyway,I always read that those movie makers are arrested if they make some movies.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/115059-two-american-pornographers-arrested-and-charged/page__view__findpost__p__2062606

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/354376-suspected-american-porn-producer-arrested-in-pattaya/page__hl__porn

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/193606-american-porn-film-cameraman-arrested-in-north-pattaya-hotel/page__p__2024991__hl__sex%20movie__fromsearch__1#entry2024991

[Misterwhisper]

"In 2011, a total of 606 films were shot in Thailand, generating a revenue of 1.22 billion baht for the economy."

This is of course somewhat misleading, because it gives the impression that 606 theatrical-release feature movies were shot here. In fact, apart from a small handful of low-budget productions and even fewer big-budget movies (i.e. close to none), practically all of these "films" were TV commercials intermingled with a few next-to-no-budget documentaries.

Divide the posted revenue of 1.22 billion baht by 606, and you'll find that the average amount spent was a little over 2 million Baht (roughly 65,000 US$) per "film", i.e. hardly in the league of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Most certainly dozens of "movies of a certain kind" also were shot here, for which of course no official permission was sought from the Thailand Film Office, because it wouldn't have been granted anyway. ;-)

[RedNIvar]

I believe most porn sites have "Thai" as a sub-section. That is how many movies are made in Thailand.

Siamwood, the movie hub of Asia.

[MaiChai]

Thailand becomes a filming hub? Another day another hub?

Good to hear some good news for a change?

[RKASA]

Abdullah does Debbie and Then Blows Himself Up

Director: Quds Forces

Genre: Horror/Comedy

Parental Guidance Strongly Recommended

Is that whore or Horror?

[rubl]

Does this number of 606 movies include the very nice youtube clips we've been informed about in this forum ?

[Microwave]

Mumbai (Bombay) = Bollywood

Bali = Baliwood

Mexico = Tamalewood

San Francisco = Trollywood

Thailand = Follywood?

Edited February 22, 2012 by Microwave

[geriatrickid]

"In 2011, a total of 606 films were shot in Thailand, generating a revenue of 1.22 billion baht for the economy."

This is of course somewhat misleading, because it gives the impression that 606 theatrical-release feature movies were shot here. In fact, apart from a small handful of low-budget productions and even fewer big-budget movies (i.e. close to none), practically all of these "films" were TV commercials intermingled with a few next-to-no-budget documentaries.

Divide the posted revenue of 1.22 billion baht by 606, and you'll find that the average amount spent was a little over 2 million Baht (roughly 65,000 US$) per "film", i.e. hardly in the league of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Most certainly dozens of "movies of a certain kind" also were shot here, for which of course no official permission was sought from the Thailand Film Office, because it wouldn't have been granted anyway. ;-)

You raise a good point. Thailand really doesn't keep a proper record, and to be blunt, 1.22 billion baht is chump change. For comparison purposes, British Columbia, Canada has a population of about 4.6 million vs. Thailand's 66 million. In 2010 It generated approx. C$777million or 23.4 billion baht from 96 foreign productions, of which 30 or so were foreign films. http://www.bcfilmcommission.com/database/rte/files/2010FinalStats%20Package.pdf If one does some number crunching it is obvious that more value is derived from the BC activity than the Thai activity. The end result is that the film industry in BC provides real jobs, real tax revenues and real investment. The Thai actiivity for the most part is for cheap scenery. There is no investment in training, no legacy of a local skilled workforce, no support of universities and technical colleges that train the craftspeople. In plain language, Thailand is treated like a cheap bargirl fling by most foreign film makers. Despite having a highly unionized workforce, higher taxes, higher wages, stricter workplace safety rules, BC beats Thailand as a foreign destination for three reasons; 1. The quality of the workforce 2. The availability of pristine settings or urban settings that are fully serviced for the film industry and 3. A government policy that supports the industry. Until Thailand does likewise, it will never have a film industry known for anything other than cheap horror/sci fi, chop sockey and pathetic porn. Thailand has alot to offer, but it needs to build upon its assets and to invest in its strengths.This is something I don't think the star struck government officials grasp.

[pointoffew]

In 2009 I read this:

"In early March 2009, CKA Chiang Mai Co. Ltd. a subsidiary of the Los Angeles based entertainment firm Creative Kingdom Inc. announced an 8 billion baht (USD 220 million) investment in a movie town, to be called Lannawood, in Chiang Mai. The project is expected to be completed in 2014 and will comprise 6 studios. The company believes Lannawood will be able to surpass Hong Kong as the hub of the movie industry in Asia. CKA expects to create a number of economic spinoff benefits for Chiang Mai."

Anyone here knows more about this?

Just curious.

[witsawakorn]

"In 2011, a total of 606 films were shot in Thailand, generating a revenue of 1.22 billion baht for the economy."

This is of course somewhat misleading, because it gives the impression that 606 theatrical-release feature movies were shot here. In fact, apart from a small handful of low-budget productions and even fewer big-budget movies (i.e. close to none), practically all of these "films" were TV commercials intermingled with a few next-to-no-budget documentaries.

Divide the posted revenue of 1.22 billion baht by 606, and you'll find that the average amount spent was a little over 2 million Baht (roughly 65,000 US$) per "film", i.e. hardly in the league of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Most certainly dozens of "movies of a certain kind" also were shot here, for which of course no official permission was sought from the Thailand Film Office, because it wouldn't have been granted anyway. ;-)

You raise a good point. Thailand really doesn't keep a proper record, and to be blunt, 1.22 billion baht is chump change. For comparison purposes, British Columbia, Canada has a population of about 4.6 million vs. Thailand's 66 million. In 2010 It generated approx. C$777million or 23.4 billion baht from 96 foreign productions, of which 30 or so were foreign films. http://www.bcfilmcom...s%20Package.pdf If one does some number crunching it is obvious that more value is derived from the BC activity than the Thai activity. The end result is that the film industry in BC provides real jobs, real tax revenues and real investment. The Thai actiivity for the most part is for cheap scenery. There is no investment in training, no legacy of a local skilled workforce, no support of universities and technical colleges that train the craftspeople. In plain language, Thailand is treated like a cheap bargirl fling by most foreign film makers. Despite having a highly unionized workforce, higher taxes, higher wages, stricter workplace safety rules, BC beats Thailand as a foreign destination for three reasons; 1. The quality of the workforce 2. The availability of pristine settings or urban settings that are fully serviced for the film industry and 3. A government policy that supports the industry. Until Thailand does likewise, it will never have a film industry known for anything other than cheap horror/sci fi, chop sockey and pathetic porn. Thailand has alot to offer, but it needs to build upon its assets and to invest in its strengths.This is something I don't think the star struck government officials grasp.

All of which is very interesting but equally as interesting is what you fail to mention which is e.g. the financial incentives that BC offers to companies that make their production there. However there are catches ( as always) such as the requirements for qualification for the incentives including::

• For the Basic Incentive, the production company must be British Columbia controlled and must control the ownership of the copyright.
  
• For the Basic Incentive, the producer must be a British Columbia resident and a Canadian.
  
• The producer must be a taxable, Canadian-controlled corporation.
  
• The producer must have a permanent establishment in British Columbia.
  

Which must be tough on foreign filmmakers. Sometimes the cheap bar girl doesn't seem that bad after all ( every time IMO). I doubt that anyone really cares how much better than Thailand B.C. is for filmmakers anyway since nobody made any such claims.

[Thaimaishoe]

"All of which is very interesting but equally as interesting is what you fail to mention which is e.g. the financial incentives that BC offers to companies that make their production there. However there are catches ( as always)..."

OK, so if you get public money from the BC Gov. there are requirements to meet. Since you did not dispute ANYTHING said in the post to which you are replying, I am forced to wonder what the hell was your point? Seriously.

The province of BC has requirements to meet before it subsidizes production companies. And that has exactly what to do with the amount of revenue that IS generated by the filming of productions that ARE filmed in BC?

Imagine, requiring some benefit to the tax base of the province or at least some benefit to a tax paying Canadien before they give you tax dollars to do your thing in BC! Those sons of bitches! Not that they are preventing you from doing your thing in BC if you DONT meet the requirements, they just won't give you tax money to do it!... but still... those sons of bitches!

You sound like a typical whiny ass american corporate welfare recipient from the united states that thinks his activities should be paid for by tax money if he so much as thinks about hiring a single local worker!

"Sometimes the cheap bar girl doesn't seem that bad after all (every time IMO) "

Well according to the post you are replying to, which you do not dispute, your opinion is obviously wrong! The film industry in BC (the expensive bar girl in the argument) DWARFS the industry in Thailand (the cheap bargirl for those of you following the analogy)

Also, filmmakers seem to care very much that BC is better for filmmakers... to the tune of 22.2 BILLION BAHT. and yes the post to which you are replying DOES make such claims.

But perhaps the most salient points are about the knock on effects of film making. Trades, skills and know how are all very important to a vibrant industry, and Thailand, according to the post to which you are replying, does not have the requirements in place to secure these effects.

I do not know if the claims of the OP are true or not, but you do not address them in any way, neither factually, nor subjectivly. The OP makes a claim (BC film industry outstrips Thai film industry), and provides specific statistics to bolster that claim, then goes on to expand upon the argument by giving specific differences between the systems which might account for the statistical differences. And concludes with a prediction based upon those structural differences.

In short, the OP provided a concise, salient argument.

You on the other hand shot you wad all over the wrong wall.

[KKK]

Enough already guys..this thread is about Thailand's film industry NOT BC's......keep on topic....

[geriatrickid]

Enough already guys..this thread is about Thailand's film industry NOT BC's......keep on topic....

Ahh, but it is a contrast in how to do things properly. There is a reason why those "lefties" on Canada's west coast have a thriving film industry and it is something Thailand should study and try to follow. We get an article trumpeting the success of the Thai film industry. An astute person already did the math and deduced that the actual benefit for Thailand is not that significant . It is hardly the basis upon which to have a skilled work force. As I wrote, Thailand has a lot to offer. it has kids that want to learn the craft. It has workers that would benefit from the skills the film industry brings. Yet, Thailand doesn't provide the training both in the creative arts and in the skilled trades which make the industry successful. Nor does Thailand have a rational government policy to help its film industry. I could have referenced Hong Kong, but I doubt anyone would have believed me if I wrote that the film industry, educational system and government all work together to train and educate the workers. Look at some of the top Hong Kong stars. They are graduates of some very prestigious schools. Look at the technical people: They are the products of specialized trade schools. Whether they are carpenters or grips, or actors, they are professionals.

Edited February 23, 2012 by geriatrickid

[pogal]

I personally know of 2 recent documentaries that were cancelled because of requests for extra payments for minders and licences etc. The doco producer said that these were abnormal requests compared to many other countries they had filmed in. Ironically she said to me that the doco's were to promote Thailand as a tourist destination and so through the Thai goverments greed they lost out in the end. So once again, I am hearing conflicting stories. Pays to read many sources before believing any one source of news.