Criteria and methods for applying for permission to shoot foreign films in national parks in case of short-term filming, with animals involved

     Those who wish to carry out film activities in a national park area must first be granted permission by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation. The applicant must strictly follow the specified procedures. These procedures are also applicable to short-term filming with animals involved.

     The term “film” includes image recording, still images, photographs, videos, or images recorded by any other devices, whether it is a film story, documentary, commercial, music video, or television show, but does not include films that are shot by private citizens or tourists for personal or family viewing. The process of applying for filming permission is as follows:

     Those responsible for filming with animals must comply with criteria, methods, and procedures for applying for permission specified by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, as follows: 

     1. The applicant must submit the application at least 5 working days before filming;

     2. When the responsible agency (Resource Management Section) has received the application for permission, it will examine the filming content and format specified by the legislation and present it to the Director-General of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department or the designated person for approval. The permission period will be the same as the number of days requested to film in the park;

     3. After the Director-General or the person assigned by the Director-General grants permission, the applicant will be informed and the permit will be issued for filming movies, videos, or documentaries, or taking photographs, under the conditions specified at the end of the permit. Then the applicant pays the permission fee;

     4. The permission fee payment can be divided into two cases: 

          1) In case of payment at the National Park Office, the applicant has the permit and conditions annexed to the permit. The permit holder presents the permit to the officer and pays the permission fee at the office of the national park requested for filming; 

          2) In case of payment at the Central Unit, after being informed of the permission approval, the applicant pays the permission fee, submits the proof of payment for examination, and receives the permit and conditions annexed to the permit. The permit must be presented to the officer before entering the national park for filming.

     5. Before filming, the permit holder or film crew must inform the head of the park one working day in advance.

The duration of application for filming permission specified in the public handbook starts when the applicant submits the application to the officer at the specified place.

     In the case of shooting foreign films, videos, or documentaries, the filming permission in Thailand issued by the Department of Tourism or the authorized committee must be attached. The application may be submitted at the One-Stop Service Center of the Department of Tourism.

Data updated on  April 15, 2023 

Source: Digital Government Development Agency

Tel. +66 2612 6060