The location for filming a movie or drama is important for the production, and the owner of the filming location can benefit from both revenue and reputation. Countries advertise and promote their best features, to attract film crews from other countries to come and film in their country, creating motivation that filming in the country is worthwhile and beneficial. Thailand has made efforts to promote and support this business, as well as increasing competitiveness and attracting more filmmakers to come and film in Thailand.

In Thailand’s case, when foreign filmmakers come to film in a national park for several consecutive days, such as a movie or documentary, they must prepare the necessary documents to apply for permission:

1. National ID card;
2. Certificate of the 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 (signed) 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 national 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 national park;
5. Notification to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation if the filming period differs from the permit received from the Department of Tourism;
6. Storyboard, plays, screenplays, or program scripts that will be filmed in the national park;
7. 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;
8. Letter of guarantee for damages (1 original copy), for cases when 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 national park after filming;
9. 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);
10. 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);
11. Application for a replacement permit for filming movies, videos, or documentaries or taking pictures in national parks, forest parks, botanic gardens, and arboretums (1 original copy);
12. Power of attorney (1 original copy) in cases when authorizing others to act on their behalf;
13. 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).

Data updated on  April 15, 2023 

Source: Digital Government Development Agency

Tel. +66 2612 6060