Thailand preparing to introduce film incentives

Plans to introduce tax incentives to bolster Thailand as a filming territory have been approved by the country’s military government.  

By Josh Wilson 17 Aug 2015

Thailand preparing to introduce film incentives

Plans to introduce tax incentives to bolster Thailand as a filming territory have been approved by the country’s military government.

The proposed scheme agreed – so far just in principle – by the cabinet would allow a cash rebate of 15% on every 30m baht (£550,000). Extra rebates valued at 10% of the total spend could also be awarded if the content promotes a positive image of Thailand, with a further 5% if the production hires Thai acting talent.

It is hoped the new initiative will bring to the nation increased revenues of between £27m and £36m with the annual tax incentive capped at £1.82m.

Tourism and Sports minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul talked to local media after the outline of the initiative was approved about what could have shot in Thailand last year if the rebates had been in place: “We are talking about famous blockbuster movies with high budgets such as ‘Star Wars’, for which, at one point, Thailand was considered as a location, but [the producers] opted to use the United Kingdom instead because it offered incentives and Thailand did not.”

The plans are set to take several months to become active and were reportedly put in place after the decline in production-related revenue from international projects, dropping from £40m in 2013 to £35.1m in 2014.

It is hoped the new initiative will bring to the nation increased revenues of between £27m and £36m with the annual tax incentive capped at £1.82m.

Tourism and Sports minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul talked to local media after the outline of the initiative was approved about what could have shot in Thailand last year if the rebates had been in place: “We are talking about famous blockbuster movies with high budgets such as ‘Star Wars’, for which, at one point, Thailand was considered as a location, but [the producers] opted to use the United Kingdom instead because it offered incentives and Thailand did not.”

The plans are set to take several months to become active and were reportedly put in place after the decline in production-related revenue from international projects, dropping from £40m in 2013 to £35.1m in 2014.

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