Bangkok, Thailand – July 9 2009 - In an ongoing effort to inform and upgrade standards of the private sector foreign film production services, the Thailand Film Office, Department of Tourism Development, Ministry of Tourism and Sports held a training program July 1-3 2009 in Bangkok.

The Seminar brought together representatives of the Immigration Bureau and Department of Labor (visa types and application process for working foreign crews); Bureau of the Royal Household (filming in locations under the Royal Household's care); Customs Department (process and procedure for import of equipment and materials used in filming); Fine Arts Department (rules and regulations for filming within its jurisdictions); Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (rules and regulations for filming within National Parks); Revenue Department (tax rates, payment methods and double taxation laws); State Railway of Thailand and Airports Authority of Thailand (rules and regulations for filming within their jurisdictions); Civil Affairs Department (filming in military jurisdictions and request for weaponry support) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (filming in Bangkok).

Over 200 representatives of the film production services sector attended the meetings, information from which will help increase their understanding of processes for foreign production filming in Thailand so they can advise foreign productions better.

In her opening statements, Ms. Wanasiri Morakul, director of the Film Office noted that foreign productions in Thailand generate income of over US$ 56.8 million a year plus an undetermined amount that gets spent and filters into the grassroots economy in the provinces.

In addition, it was announced that the number of foreign productions filmed on location in Thailand in 2008 was at an all time high (526 productions which include documentaries, TV & film, music videos and commercials) with 2009 numbers at the half year (236) looking to meet if not beat last year's total. Overall foreign location shoots contributed US$49 + million annual business in the Kingdom.

In '08 Japanese (134) and Indian (123) productions led the way followed by European productions (106) and others.