TAT sweetens invite to film-makers with new incentives

THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is coming up with a slew of new initiatives, including streamlining the permits acquisition process and holding roadshows, to persuade film-makers to bring their productions to Thailand.

Thawatchai Arunyik, governor, TAT, said: “International film production in Thailand both directly and indirectly helps to showcase the kingdom as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and attracts further visitors who might want to experience the film location themselves.”

He cited the example of popular Chinese movie Lost in Thailand that resulted in new direct flight routes to Chiang Mai and higher visitorship from China (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 25, 2013).

To attract even more film productions to Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Department of Tourism (DOT) is putting together a one-stop service to film-makers. The Ministry will work with various public and private organisations such as the Customs Department and Foreign Film Production Executives Association, to streamline the application process for permits and permissions.

Ubolwan Sucharitakul, director of the tourism department, said: “We are also organising several roadshows overseas to raise the profile of the kingdom as a country with the readiness, skills and expertise to help film-makers.”

Other incentives such as tax exemptions for foreign actors who have starred in films shot in Thailand will be rolled out. Training sessions and seminars for local film crews on international collaboration and production skills will also be arranged.

According to TAT, some 717 foreign film productions were shot in Thailand last year, contributing 2.2 billion baht (US$67.6 million) to national coffers. India was the largest source market with 150 titles followed by Japan with 140. These comprise feature films, documentaries, music videos and television shows.

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