The Department of Tourism (DOT), Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has announced a cash rebate of up to 20% for foreign film productions in Thailand, spending over 150 million Baht investment, starting from January 2024 onwards. The aim is to increase revenue from foreign filmmaking by 5% this year, up from a record-breaking 6.6 billion Baht last year.
The primary incentive is a 15% cash rebate for filmmakers who invest 50 million Baht or more in filming in Thailand this year.
An additional 5% is offered for films that promote Thai tourism, soft powers, and a positive image of Thailand, 3% for hiring Thais as key personnel, 3% for filming in emerging cities, and 2% for spending on post-production services in Thailand.
Any film with a budget of more than 150 million Baht will be entitled to an additional cash rebate of 5%.
Together with other criteria, a film can receive up to a 20% cash rebate. The cash rebate value is capped at 150 million Baht per film.
Mr. Jaturon Phakdeewanich, DOT Director-General, attributed cash rebate incentives among key factors motivating foreign filmmakers to choose Thailand as the preferred destination, along with unique locations, top-notch productions and facilities, professional crews, and relevant services, ranging from accommodation, restaurants, and local experiences.
In 2023, revenue from foreign filmmaking reached new heights, with 466 productions from 40 countries bringing in an investment of over 6.6 billion Baht, up nearly 2 billion Baht year-on-year.
The 466 productions comprised 203 commercials, 81 documentaries, 58 TV shows, 35 movies, 34 music videos, 30 reality shows, 17 series, and eight dramas.
The top five sources of foreign film productions last year were the United States with an investment of 3.184 billion Baht, followed by Hong Kong at 707.27 million Baht, China at 471.98 million Baht, Germany at 438.79 million Baht, and South Korea at 344.65 million Baht.
Bangkok and 57 provinces were chosen as the main destinations. The top 5 were Bangkok – 282 productions, Chon Buri – 77 productions, Samut Prakan – 60 productions, Pathum Thani – 52 productions, and Phuket – 47 productions.
Also in the top 10 destinations were Nonthaburi (41 productions), Chiang Mai (39 productions), Nakhon Pathom (27 productions), Krabi (26 productions), and Ratchaburi (25 productions).
For more information about applying for filming incentives in Thailand, please visit Thailand Film Office (TFO). (TAT)
