Thailand Production Services Industry Continues to Grow

Bangkok, Thailand (January 10, 2011) - Thailand earned Bt1.8 billion (US$60 million) from foreign film production teams shooting in the country last year, according to the Department of Tourism.

Department of Tourism Director-General Supol Sripan announced January 4 2011, statistics of the Thailand Film Office showed that 578 productions were filmed in Thailand in 2010, earning the country Bt1.87 billion baht ($60 million) in 2010, double the more than Bt900 million ($30 million) earned in 2009.

The greatest number of foreign production teams was from India and Japan with European and Korean productions following close behind, according to Ms. Wanasiri Morakul, Director of the Thailand Film Office (Thailand's Film Commission).

Acknowledging the strong Baht may cause production services costs to increase slightly, Ms Morakul said Thailand's lower costs were only one factor for the rise in foreign film production in Thailand last year.

"Foreign film makers consistently note the availability of top quality equipment, exotic locations and multilingual/cultural Thai crews that work extremely hard," said Ms. Morakul.

Director-General Sripan added that he expected additional growth in the industry in 2011 because the Thai government has approved incentives to film makers.

The Cabinet approved the exemption of film shooting fees in areas owned by seven state offices including the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Department of Fine Arts, the State Railway of Thailand, the Treasury Department, the Royal Forest Department, the Royal Irrigation Department and Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Both local and foreign film production teams are subject to receive the incentive.
The Cabinet approved additional incentives which are still under review by the Revenue Department.

"We hope additional growth will come from roadshows in Europe and Russia later in 2011 and also an inbound roadshow of top studios, producers and location coordinators that will spread the word about Thailand's industry", said Ms. Morakul.

Contributing to the "word of mouth" on the growth of Thailand's successful production services industry is P3Update magazine who in their February 2011 issue will designate for the second year in a row, Thailand as one of three top film location destinations in Asia.

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.