Filming in Thailand makes the stories come alive under golden skies! As per the Thailand Film Office, Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Chonburi, and Nonthaburi are among Thailand’s top filming destinations. Moreover, Fast and Furious 9, which was filmed in Krabi and Phuket, achieved the highest box office revenue of $276 million in 2021.
Rules and Regulations for Filming in Thailand
Thailand as the next movie destination, allows you to film in paradise. Here are the top insights that will help you gain a broader perspective on the Thai film market:
How do I apply for the Thailand Film Office permit?
- A letter assigning film production tasks by the foreign filmmaker with the local coordinator’s name
- A letter for the application of a shooting permit by the local coordinator to the Director-General of the Department of Tourism
- Storyboard (commercial photo and film shooting purposes)
- Synopsis of the film
- Script of the film (Both in English and Thai)
- Shooting schedule (date and location)
- List of daily filming dates depending on the location, including national parks, temples, or government buildings.
- List of pieces of equipment to be used ( special equipment including military weapons, explosives, or chemicals)
- List of foreign film crew members with names, passport numbers, positions, and arrival dates in Thailand
Role of the local coordinator in film production
Thailand is a fantastic location to start a production house in Thailand. A ‘local coordinator’ shall act in conjunction with the Thai Film Board and assist with tax filings under the Thailand Film Board.
Let’s explore the role of local coordinator for filming in Thailand:
- Request permission to film in Thailand and submit applications to the Royal Thai Embassy, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Thai Trade Center
- If a photographer is involved, then the foreign applicant’s signature must be submitted for still photography permission
- For any kind of documentary film production in Thailand, an application must be filed in advance of 5 working days and sent to the Film Board.
- From any kind of feature film to TV series or fictional film stories, an application must be submitted 14 working days in advance.
- Application for film crew’s work permits through the Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment Board.
- Check on the foreign trade of film equipment following the Customs Department’s procedures for clearing payments of bonds or taxes.
Restrictions for filming in Thailand
The Film Act B.E. 2473 in Thailand restricted any form of creation, showing, or acting in motion pictures that could disrupt any social order in Thailand.
Films subject to approval
Under Section 22 of the Film and Video Act, B.E. 2551 (2008), the following types of foreign films are not approved by the Thailand government:
- Any film produced for news or events
- Any film produced for personal observation
- Any such film produced in a foreign country by the producer and brought for the post-production process in the Thailand Kingdom
- Any other film as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulation
Classification of Films
Under Section 25, the Film and Video Censorship Committee classifies the following films based on suitability:
Content Restrictions
Moreover, Film Classification, B.E. 2552 produced the categories under which the minstrel authorities consider content:
- Content producing horror, violence, terror, or cruelty toward living beings
- Content that promotes nudity and hints at obscenity
- Content showcasing how to perform a crime or use weapons in national concern
- Content promoting any form of ideologies as opposed to peace and order in cultural economy or traditions believed by a certain society
- Content showcasing the use of drugs
- Content designed with inappropriate use of language targeting vulgar scenes
Visas and Work Permits for Filming in Thailand
If any film production takes less than 15 days in Thailand, then you can opt for an ordinary tourist visa or a tourist stamp. Moreover, a Non-immigrant Visa must be applied from the Thai Embassy by the foreign filmmaker and his film unit crews. Nevertheless, a work visa may not be enough to ensure legal work status in the Thai Kingdom.
For any kind of filming in Thailand, if you shoot for <15 consecutive days, then a temporary work permit shall be required. However, for shooting a film for more than 15 days, the local coordinator should apply for a ‘blue book’ permit from the labor department.
Advantages of film production in Thailand
With remarkable growth, Japan, India, and the USA produced the highest number of foreign films in Thailand. With a box office collection of $144.1 million, ‘The Beach’ features Leonardo Di Caprio as Richard who sets out on an adventure to Thailand.
Benefits to foreign filmmakers
- The Ministry of Finance, Thailand, provides a five-year tax exemption to foreign actors hired by the production team.
- VISA applications are available for the crew team in Thailand
- Work permits are easily accessed by the foreign actors in the film production crew working in Thailand
Documents needed
- Letter for hiring a local film coordinator
- Application for approval from Film and Video Censorship Committee
- Location brief for the film production to the State Agency
- The approval for a license to exhibit, rent, or distribute a film in the Thai kingdom
- The film permit application with type and objective of content
- A letter from the Director-General of the Department of Tourism for shooting permission based on the screenplay, plot, and summary of the film
- Film schedule specifying date, location, and timing details
- List of foreign film crew members’ names, passport IDs, job roles, and departments with arrival dates
Government support for foreign productions
Research indicates that in 2023, 460 foreign producer-based films screened across Thailand, generating $208 million. Let’s discover the government facilities provided to foreign filmmakers in Thailand:
Incentives for filming in Thailand
| % of incentive | Investment criteria |
| 15% | Film production up to THB 50 million |
| 20% | Film production between THB 100 million and THB 150 million |
| 25% | Film production exceeding THB 150 million |
Additional rebates for filming in Thailand
Did you know the Hangover Part II (2011) monastery scene was shot in a museum park at Chiang Mei consisting of historical Thai buildings and ornamental gardens?
| % of rebate | Specific domains of film production |
| 3% | Post-production in Thailand
|
| 3% | Film production of at least 25% in Thailand’s Department of Tourism (DOT) destinations (within 3 months of film release)
|
| 5% | Hiring any key Thai personnel for film production
|
| 5% | Promoting Thailand’s positive image, soft power, and tourism
|
The Bottom Line
Thailand is every filmmaker’s dream now! Your creativity should know no bounds as a filmmaker. However, Thai regulations protect filmmaking studios from violating societal norms.
Need help navigating filming rules and regulations in Thailand?
At Konrad Legal, we assist foreign filmmakers in applying for work permits and visas. Simultaneously, our team ensures 100% compliance with incentives and rebates as per Thai Film Board regulations.
