Documentation for requesting permission to shoot foreign films in a national park, in case of a short shooting period and if animals are brought into the filming

     Thailand has beautiful natural tourist attractions, with a rich and diverse natural environment that is fascinating for tourists, especially in the numerous national parks throughout the country. There are also many areas currently being prepared to become national parks.

     In addition to tourism, national parks are also popular for filming movies, with production crews enchanted by the beauty of the natural scenery within the park areas. However, permission from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation is required for filming within national park areas, especially for short-term filming and when animals are involved in the production. Various supporting documents must be prepared for the permit application process:

1. National ID card;
2. Certificate of a juristic person issued not more than 6 months from the date of issuance of the document. The original certification of a juristic person must be presented on the day of application, along with true certified copies of all documents, including the purpose of the juristic person and its bylaws;
3. Letter to the Director-General of the National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation Department (1 original copy), specifying the details of the shooting, date, time, location, and filming location within the park. The applicant or authorized signatory must sign;
4. Permit from the Department of Tourism containing the shooting details and the filming schedule, including a request to film in the park;
5. Notification to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation if the filming period is different from the permit received from the Department of Tourism. The requester must submit a notification letter to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation. Still, it must not exceed the timeframe allowed by the Department of Tourism for filming permission;
6. Animal Identification Bill issued by the Department of Livestock Development or provincial livestock offices;
7. Storyboard, plays, screenplays, or program scripts that will be filmed in the park;
8. A set design or scene sample (1 original copy), specifying details of the location where the scene is constructed, including the blueprint and specific details of which scene is used in the attached screenplay;
9. Letter of guarantee for damages (1 original copy) in cases of bringing equipment for filming into the national park; a guarantee letter issued by a commercial bank for the amount of 2,000,000 baht is required, and the letter will be returned when it is found that no damage has been caused to the park after filming;
10. Animal Health Certificate issued by the Department of Livestock Development or provincial livestock offices;
11. Pictures of animals brought into the park;
12. Application for permission to film movies, videos, or documentaries or to take pictures in national parks, forest parks, botanic gardens, and arboretums (1 original copy);
13. Application for extension of the validity period of the filming permits for movies, videos, or documentaries, or for taking pictures in national parks, forest parks, botanic gardens, and arboretums (1 original copy), in the case of extending the duration of the operation to apply;
14. Application for a replacement permit for filming movies, videos, or documentaries or for taking pictures in national parks, forest parks, botanic gardens, and arboretums (1 original copy), in case of requiring evidence to substitute for a license;
15. Power of attorney (1 original copy), in case of authorizing others to act on their behalf;
16. Terms and conditions attached to the filming permits for movies, videos, or documentaries or for taking pictures in national parks, forest parks, botanic gardens, and arboretums (1 original copy). Applicant signs and acknowledges the terms and conditions attached to the license, as well as the application, along with supporting documents;
17. Application for permission to bring animals into the national park (1 original copy).

Data updated on April 15, 2023 

Source: Digital Government Development Agency

Tel. +66 2612 6060