Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was pleased to hear that 348 foreign film productions used locations in Thailand last year, generating revenue of 6.4 billion baht for the country, according to the Thailand Film Office and Department of Tourism.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said yesterday Gen Prayut had acknowledged Thailand’s popularity among foreign film producers and welcomed the economic boost it had brought to local communities.
Mr Anucha also said that there were 34 foreign film shoots conducted in January this year, which helped create an income of 298 million baht for Thailand for that month.
He went on to say that, over the past seven years, 45 films shot here have taken advantage of a cash rebate measure that was introduced by the Thai government, which has brought almost 9 billion baht to Thailand.
This followed the government’s offer of cash rebates of 20-30% if a film production invested in Thailand more than 100 million baht.
The intention of this policy is to attract many more makers of blockbuster films and those who make television series, he said.
Mr Anucha said that the most popular provinces for film shoots in 2022 were Bangkok, Phuket, Samut Prakan, Chiang Mai, and Phangnga.
Wansiri Morakul, a Culture Ministry adviser, said that Thailand earned 6.4 billion baht last year from foreign filmmakers after the country reopened its borders to tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Judging by filming activities that have taken place so far this year, that figure is expected to be topped quite significantly, she said.