If you’re planning your shoot in Thailand please read carefully and must be kept in mind these rules for filmmakers who going to shoot features, documentary, TVC or music video in the Kingdom of Thailand.
FILM SERVICE (THAILAND) has the ability to coordinate and carry out all of the application processes together with all pre-production procedures that include the arrangement of local production crews, vehicles and filming equipment.
BY THE LAW every foreign filmmaker (individual or production company) before arriving in Thailand, should hire local PRODUCTION SERVICE COMPANY which best equipped to deal with the procedures involved in the granting of a filming permit in Thailand as local production coordinator to assist in all production matters pertaining to Thailand.
THAILAND SERVICE PRODUCTION WILL FIX THE FOLLOWING
- Enter into contracts and liaise with Thai government agencies for all legal purposes.
- Prepare all necessary documents to be considered by the Film Broad of Thailand.
- Obtain advice on taxes, acquire work permits, and assist with other related procedures.
- Arranging for accommodation, transportation, equipment, food, equipment rental, local talents and extras and other related requirements of the foreign film production crew.
The film scenario, script and film itself MUST NOT affect or subvert the culture, traditions, morals, public order, national security, environment, dignity, rules and regulations of any THAILAND government agency or the Kingdom as a whole. In the case of a breach in any of the above-mentioned areas that do not fall under the Film Board of Thailand’s jurisdiction, its Board may seek-out the concerned agency’s opinion.
Your PRODUCTION SERVICE COMPANY in Thailand must inform the Film Board of Thailand about their appointment in order to further work out details of their role. The film must be shot in accordance with the film plot, script and other details as agreed upon by the Film Board of Thailand. The Film Board of Thailand’s Secretariat must be informed of changes, if any, before carrying them out.
PAPERWORK REQUIRED FOR FOREIGN FILMMAKERS TO SHOOT IN THAILAND
Your local production service will request for an application to grant them permission to film in Thailand and must consequently fill in the form correctly and completely. The applicant must complete and submit the application form in accordance to the pointers mentioned below before the commencement of their filming procedures. This application forms for the purpose of acquiring filming permits can be both obtained and submitted in Thailand and abroad.
For TV series or feature films the application must be submitted by Local Service Production in 14 days working days in advance. For commercial advertisements, music videos or documentary films, the application form must be duly filled and submitted 5 working days in advance to give the Film Board of Thailand adequate time to carefully consider it.
The documents that must be prepared and submitted:
- Storyboard and production brief (for feature films);
- Treatment (for documentaries);
- Lyrics, title, and details of production relating to all musical elements (for music videos);
- Script, and synopsis either in Thai or English (for film);
- Shooting schedule (Locations and dates suggested for filming);
- Final script;
- Complete list of filming locations and dates, listed on a daily basis that includes government buildings, National Parks, religious compounds;
- Complete itinerary;
- Name list of the filming crew members, their roles, and passport photocopies;
- Copy of company commercial registration with company address.
- List of all equipment to be used in the shoot, especially chemicals, military weapons, and explosives (if any).
Once the permission to film has been granted, your LOCAL SERVICE PRODUCTION must apply for work permits of each member of the film production team BEFORE entering Thailand. The work permit applications may be obtained from the Department of Employment or the Alien Occupational Control Division.
Documentaries produced via government agency invitations must bare special mention of the Film Board of Thailand in their produced material and must submit completed application form issued by the government agency in question to the Film Board of Thailand.
EXPENSES AND TAXES FOR FOREIGN FILMMAKERS FILMING IN THAILAND
The income tax for each foreign filming crew member employed by the foreign film production company must be withheld. Calculation of such tax per payment is at the rate of five to thirty seven percent (depending on income earned). The tax withheld must be remitted within seven days of the month following the payment.
A Film Board of Thailand representative is appointed to oversee the film production processes from beginning to end, in accordance with the details laid out in the approved film script. The fee of Film Board of Thailand representative to oversee such a film shoot is ฿2,000 per person/daily and foreign production covering also additional expenses for accommodation, food, and transportation for the Film Board of Thailand representatives at a rate similar to that of the foreign film crew executives.
Days for when a Film Board of Thailand representative is present but no filming takes place, the foreign filming crew pays them ฿500 per person/daily.
