FAQ - Filming in Thailand

Additional notes have been supplied under some of the answers, where we feel further advice is required, beyond the official statements.
 
It is always sensible to use a reliable organisation with the contacts, experience, local and English language skills plus negotiation skills. This will minimise surprises and smooth the way to focus on filming.
 
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or queries.
 
 
 
 
A: No. You can make most arrangements yourself, but you will still need an offical coordinator and do expect a to jump a few hurdles.
 
A: Yes, you do. Shooting without a permit is violation of the law.
Note: If caught, you will haev your film and equipment confiscated. This is a real risk.
 
A: The Thailand Film Office. Please do not confuse us with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
 
A: Film makers wishing to shoot a film in Thailand are required to hire a Thai coordinator to help, as there are procedures to follow both before and after the filming permit is granted.
They also help in obtaining local permissions and in contacting Thai authorities and local Thai crews concerned with your production.
 
A: The coordinator carries out such transactions as helping the foreign film crew to obtain work permits, giving you advice on tax payment, and general production support.
 
A:  Thailand Film Office has a full list of coordinators. 
By law, Freelance coordinators are permitted to work for a production not exceeding 15 days. Their qualifications are not suitable for a big production e.g. Feature Films, TV series, Docudramas or fiction. For both parties’ benefit, an agreement letter between both parties must made.
ClipCube Media is a division of WCT Company Limited and therefore is a qualified under the company listing. See here.
 
A: TV commercials, Documentaries, Music Videos and TV programmes that do not contain any negative content or adverse action towards the Kingdom of Thailand can apply for permission to shoot at the One-Stop-Service Center.
 
A: Required documents are as follows (original and 6 copies of each):
1. A letter made by the assigned local coordinator, informing the Director-General of the Office of Tourism Development of the purpose of applying for a shooting permit.
2. An assignment letter made by the foreign filmmaker, showing they have chosen and hired a local coordinator.
3. An application form.
4. Supporting documents needed for permit consideration :
- Storyboard for TV commercials
- Treatment for documentaries
- Theme (concept) and lyrics for music videos
- Details of content and objectives of programme presentation for TV programmes.
5. A schedule of filming in Thailand specifying exact dates and locations (for all types of productions)
6. Name list, passport numbers, positions and arrival dates of foreign film crew.
 
A: The process will be completed within 3 working days.
Note: On a best case scenario and as long as all documentation is complete.
 
A: For Feature Films , Docudramas, TV dramas and Mini Series, application for shooting permits should be submitted at the Thailand Film Office 4th floor, Building 2, Office of Tourism Development.
 
A: Required documents are as follows (original and 25 copies of each):
1. A letter made by the assigned local coordinator, informing the Director-General of the Office of Tourism Development of the purpose of applying for a shooting permit.
2. An assignment letter made by the foreign filmmaker, showing they have chosen and hired a local coordinator.
3. An application form.
4. Supporting documents needed for permit consideration :
- Synopsis
- Treatment
- Full script
5. A schedule of filming in Thailand specifying exact dates and locations.
6. Name list, passport numbers, positions and arrival dates of foreign film crew.
 
A: For Feature Films, TV series, Docudramas, or any fictional stories: Allow no less than 14 working days for the Thailand Film Office to consider the script.
NOTE : Depending on the requirements of the script i.e. those that may involve national parks, temples and so on: The period for approval may take longer as the Film Office has to arrange for other government departments concerned to view the script as well.
 
A: Permission will be issued after we have studied your script. If it is not acceptable, the Film Office will inform you of the reasons. Whether you agree to make changes to your script for resubmission is up to each film maker.
 
A: When shooting in Thailand, it is advisable that you do not have anything in the script that offends Thailand’s national institutions, religion, customs and culture. The film must not be deemed as threat to security. Finally, shooting must not cause any significant effect/damage to the environment.
 
A: You must first obtain permission to film from the Film Office. Then your local coordinator can proceed to contact the related locations with filming permission (permit) in hand.
 
A: No, there are no fees for the filming permit.
Note: However there are fees per location, which depends on the officials. Some locations have published prices,and others are negotiated.
 
A: Yes there are. Once the permit is granted, a representative from The Thailand Film Office is required to attend the shoot. A per diem for the representative is 2,000 Baht per day and is covered by the production company. Should the official need to travel outside of Bangkok for the film shoot, then air fares, accommodations and meals need to be provided for the official; this cost also must be provided by the production company.
Note: It would also be wise to provide a tip. Costs must be agreed in writing prior to the appointment and signed by both parties.
For Documentaries, Commercial Advertisements, and Music VDOs, the film crew will be accompanied by one representative. For Feature Films, Docudramas and TV series, the Thailand Film Office will assign one representative to accompany each shooting unit. If the shoot is more than 10 hours a day, there will be two representatives per unit.
 
A: Yes. Location fees and other production matters should be discussed with the appointed local coordinator. This is why it is essential to appoint an experienced coordinator. The local coordinator will deal with production issues.
Note: Be clear as to what has the fee includes. For example access times, coveragefor potential damage to locations, along with cost fo cleaning up and returning to original state.
 
A: The duty of Thai Film Board’s representative is to make sure that what is actually being shot has followed the script that has been previously approved. Should scenes vary from the script the representative is there to advise as to whether it is possible to shoot those scenes or not. Also, having a Thai Film Office official on set helps to handle any problems should they arise.
 
A: Crews intending to work in Thailand for a period not exceeding 15 days can do so under a tourist visa.
Only crews working more than 15 days must have a non-immigrant multiple type visa.
Note: This policy changes therefore has to be checked via the Immigration department and we would suggest a letter or point of contact at the immigration be secured, as Police or others may interfere with your schedule adn assume you need a work permit, due to the lack of knowledge on immigration changes.
Note: Immigration and Employment department are totally seperate.
 
A: Yes, they need to have them. Both types of crew require work permits. Crews working within 15 days will need a form notifying the Employment Department, whereas crews staying over 15 days will need to submit more detailed documents, your local coordinator can help you with this.
 Note: More detailed documents will involve a sponsoring company ororganisation, asthe work permit will come under their name.
 
A: Yes there is a fee but only for crews working more than 15 days. The fee rate is based on the working period. The minimum fee rate is 750 Baht for working within 3 months. A fee of 1,500 Baht is for a period of 6 months. A fee of 3,000 Baht is valid for over 6 months but not longer than 1 year.
Note: We have found that even under 15 days attacts a fee. Especially in the case where entertainers/performers are involved. You cannot work until you have the work permit in hand.
 
A: No, the coordinator can organize the work permits for the crews.
Note: On occassion the Employment department will insist on all applicants to have a blood test, as part of the condition. Please discuss this with our coordinator.
Please also discuss the tax implications, with regard your country and Thailand. Inthe past there has been a tax rate of 15% withholding tax on total cost of each person. This is paid to the government. HOWEVER, this may change.
 
A: The film permission enables you to film in Thailand – but you have to negotiate each location yourself or with your local coordinator. The owners of the locations will need to know that you have filming permission in hand.
 
A: Yes, if you don’t have ATA CARNET you must prepare cash or bank guarantee - Thai Bank guarantees only are accepted to guarantee your equipment. The amount of cash or bank guarantee is based on the value of the equipment.
Note: We would suggest you rent the equipment you need, as far as possible.
The ambiguity is determining the value of the equipment. You will then need to process the return of the guarantee, which we have not found a problem with.