Thai Prime Minster Shows Support for Filming in Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand (January 17, 2011) – On December 29, 2010, in an auspicious sign of support for Thailand's foreign production services industry and the Department of Tourism, Thailand Film Office (Thailand's Film Commission) for the New Year ahead, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva visited the set of Warner Bros' and Legendary Picture's The Hangover Part II that was filming in Bangkok.

Joining PM Abhisit at the MoonStar studio were Director-General of the Department of Tourism, Mr. Supol Sripan, Ms. Wanasiri Morakul, Director of the Thailand Film Office, Ms. Sasisupa Sungvaribud, president of the private sector Foreign Film Production Services Association (FSA), Mr. Daniel Goldberg, Producer, Mr. Todd Phillips, Director, Mr. Chris Lowenstein, Line Producer (Thailand based Living Films) and others.

The Hollywood production shot 40 days in Thailand, 38 on location and 2 in MoonStar's sound stage. Approximately 500 million Baht (about US $16.7 million) was spent on the production which employed over 450 local crew and 100 Western crew who stayed at over 12 different hotels around town. 176 various production vehicles were hired including vans, trucks, cranes, motor homes, mobile toilets, mobile offices, etc.

With those assembled the Prime Minister discussed tax incentives and rebates for foreign film productions filming in Thailand which had already passed the Thai Cabinet and were being considered for final implementation.

Thanking the Prime Minister for his support, Mr. Lowenstein encouraged him to try and have the incentives fully approved by May 26, 2011. May 26th being the day The Hangover Part II will be released world wide – right after the Cannes International Film Festival (May 11-21) and right before the Association of Film Commissioners Location show in Los Angeles which will run June 3-5, 2011.

The Prime Minister liked the idea of setting a specific date and using the movie's world wide release date as a marketing platform for promoting Thailand's locations and production services industry.



Photo Courtesy Living Films - Melinda Sue Gordon
Photo: l to r Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva shaking hands with The Hangover Part II director Todd Phillips with Living Films managing director and movie line producer Chris Lowenstein, center foreground.