Film producers brave floods
November 15, 2011 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 15 November 2011: Thailand earned a record Bt1,310.46 million from on-location film shoots in the first 10 months of the year according to the Thailand Film Office Department which comes under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The department reported, last week, its January to October data that showed 531 films, documentaries, advertising, TV series, and music video were filmed on location in Thailand generating Bt1,310.46 million in revenue. It compares with 464 productions and Bt1,635.24 million during the same period last year.
During the first 10 months, foreign productions included 135 documentaries, 262 commercials, 30 films, 72 television programmes, and 32 music video productions.
Japanese film makers led the field with 100 productions followed by 91 from India, 89 from Europe, 45 from South Korea, 30 each from the United States and China, and 24 from Hong Kong.
In October alone, there were 33 productions that generated Bt78.85 million compared to 44 productions that generated Bt111.03 million.
Most of Thailand’s central plains were under water in October but it failed to deter film crews from visiting the country and reaching popular beach resorts and location venues in national parks. Of 33 productions, there were seven documentaries, 13 commercials, three films, seven television programmes, and three music video productions.
Indian production teams top the list in October with eight productions followed by seven from Europe, five from Japan, three each from the United States and China, one each from Australia and Hong Kong.
Since 2 November 2010 Thailand waived permit fees for foreign film makers to shoot productions on government owned properties under the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Fine Arts Department, the State Railway of Thailand, the Treasury Department, the Royal Forest Department, the Royal Irrigation Department and Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Reduced fee are valid until 31 December this year except for the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department properties where the exemption ends 1 December.
