Monday, May 20, 2024 The Tourism and Sports Ministry, in partnership with the Culture Ministry, announced its aim to generate 7.5 billion baht this year by promoting Thailand as a prime location for international film productions. This initiative was highlighted at the Cannes Film Festival in France, showcasing Thailand’s successes in attracting foreign films.
Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Arrun Boonchai stated that various government units have consistently worked to enhance the Thai film industry, recognizing it as a strategic avenue to elevate the tourism sector. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin views cinema as a crucial element of cultural diplomacy and economic stimulation. Arrun noted that Thailand’s renowned tourist destinations have been popular backdrops for numerous international film and TV productions in recent years.
The country offers financial incentives to further attract these productions, including a 15% cashback on production costs, recently increased to 20%. These incentives have significantly boosted the film industry’s economic value in Thailand, growing from approximately 3.1 billion baht in 2017 to about 6.
7 billion baht last year. Key Attractions: Arrun emphasized the broader economic benefits that film productions bring to Thailand, such as job creation in downstream businesses and the stimulation of tourism in community-based and lesser-known locations. Notable films shot in Thailand include “The Meg 2,” “The Creator,” and .
